Central America along with the Yucatan and the Northeastern part of South America, is recognized as the region from which most of the foods of the New World came from.

The chile, maize. squash, fruits, nuts, tomatoes, tomatillos, chocolate, and many other important foods expanded outward from this region, both from the north and south but, more importantly where they were introduced to the old world.

The cuisine in this region use many of the same ingredients. However like the rest of the world it differs according to the influence of those who used the ingredients.

The Spanish and Portuguese brought slaves from Africa to grow sugar cane. There is also a large German and Chinese influence, as well as Dutch. Although the food is similar, the preparation varies. Two of the main ingredients used in this region are black beans and rice. Rice is one of the foods introduced to the New World by the European settlers. Sweet potatoes, plantains and bitter yucca or cassava or tapioca are utilized in many dishes. along with squashes and pumpkins. The cooking methods are simple, and most meats are either cooked in a sauce or covered with thick and usually quite hot mole or sauces.

In the Yucatan the chile of choice is the scotch bonnet or habanero. which is the hottest of chilies. This region also uses a lot of fruit in their cuisine. Papayas, guavas, passion fruits, pineapples, bananas and avocados are picked only when fully ripe and are eaten raw, used in dishes or as garnish.

Some of the national dishes from the Central American countries are: Rice with black beans, fried plantains. tapado (seafood stew in coconut milk), chilimal ( pork in a thick sauce ), palo guisado (duck stew with potatoes) and white bean soup.