Sabor Boricua in Chicago: Grocery List for a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, why not add a little Puerto Rican flavor to your celebration? A Puerto Rican Thanksgiving is a delicious fusion of traditional American and Caribbean flavors, and it’s a great way to celebrate the holiday with a unique and memorable feast. This guide will help you create a delicious and budget-friendly Puerto Rican Thanksgiving in Chicago.

The Menu

Here’s a sample menu for a delicious and authentic Puerto Rican Thanksgiving:

• Main Course: Pavochón (Puerto Rican-style turkey) and Pernil (roast pork shoulder)
• Sides: Arroz con Gandules (rice with pigeon peas), Tostones (fried plantains), and a simple green salad.
• Dessert: Tembleque (coconut pudding)
• Drink: Coquito (coconut eggnog)

The Grocery List

Here’s what you’ll need to create this delicious feast. We’ve included tips on where to find the best deals at your local Jewel-Osco and neighborhood Latin markets.

• Produce:
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 head of garlic
  • 1 bunch of cilantro
  • 1 bunch of culantro (if you can find it)
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 1 bag of green plantains
  • Salad greens
• Protein:
  • 1 (12-15 lb) turkey
  • 1 (6-8 lb) pork shoulder
• Pantry:
  • Olive oil
  • Adobo seasoning
  • Sazón seasoning
  • Dried oregano
  • Bay leaves
  • 1 (15-ounce) can gandules (pigeon peas)
  • 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
  • 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • Long-grain white rice
  • Cornstarch
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Rum (optional, for the coquito)

Budget-Friendly Tips

• Shop the Sales: Look for sales on turkey and pork shoulder in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. These are often loss leaders, which means the stores sell them at a loss to get you in the door.
• Visit Your Local Bodega: You can often find great deals on specialty items like gandules, sazón, and adobo at your local Latin market.
• Make Your Own Sofrito: Sofrito is the base of many Puerto Rican dishes. You can make your own by blending onions, garlic, peppers, cilantro, and culantro. It’s cheaper and more flavorful than the store-bought version.
• Don’t Forget the Coquito: This creamy coconut eggnog is a holiday essential. It’s easy to make at home and is a delicious way to celebrate the season.

This Thanksgiving, bring the flavors of Puerto Rico to your table. With a little planning, you can create a delicious and memorable feast that your family and friends will be talking about for years to come. ¡Buen provecho!