Puerto Rico’s cuisine is a unique amalgamation of ingredients, cultures, and recipes. The native Taíno Indians, the Spanish conquistadores, and the African slaves have all historically influenced what has come to be known around the island ascocina criolla, or Creole cooking. The local dishes usually incorporate different types of meat, garlic, olive oil, and rice. They also often contain a starchy regional staple—plantains—whose taste can be compared to a cross between a banana and a potato. Most notably, however, are the spice characteristics that mimic the vibrant Puerto Rican culture, making the island’s most distinctive and representative foods worth a try.