World Flavors Cookbook

Sancocho de Gallina

Panama's national soup — old hen slowly simmered with yuca, otoe, culantro, and oregano until the broth is deeply flavored and golden.

Cuisine: Panama

Ingredients

• 1 whole old hen or stewing chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 corn cobs, cut
• 3 yuca, peeled and cut
• 2 otoe (taro root), peeled and cut
• 1 bunch culantro (recao), chopped
• 2 onions, quartered
• 6 cloves garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Rice to serve

Instructions

1. Place chicken in a large pot with water.
2. Bring to boil. Skim foam.
3. Add onion, garlic, and oregano. Simmer 45 minutes.
4. Add yuca, otoe, and corn. Cook 30 more minutes.
5. The broth should be golden and slightly thick from the root vegetables.
6. Add culantro at the end. Season.
7. Serve with white rice.