Panama — Colombian and Caribbean influence; pan-Latin American sancocho tradition with Panamanian specifications
Sancocho panameño is Panama's national soup and one of the essential dishes of all Latin America — an old hen (gallina) or chicken slow-cooked with yuca (cassava), ñame (Caribbean yam), corn on cob, and culantro (broadleaf cilantro), seasoned simply with salt, garlic, and culantro. The long simmer of an old hen produces an extraordinary gelatinous, rich broth impossible to replicate with a young chicken. Considered Panama's restorative and celebratory soup — eaten at weddings, funerals, and after long nights.
Rich, gelatinous broth, herb-forward from culantro, starchy from yuca — restorative and deeply satisfying
{"Old hen (gallina) is traditional — the tough muscles and high gelatin content produce broth impossible from young chicken","Culantro (Eryngium foetidum) not regular cilantro — much more intense, essential for authentic flavour","Yuca added early (firm root takes 30–40 minutes to become tender)","Corn on cob added in segments — 5cm sections, cooked until kernels are just tender","Long simmer (2–3 hours for gallina) — the broth must become gelatinous and rich"}
{"Old hens are available at Latin or Asian grocery stores — request at the butcher counter","Culantro is available at Latin and Caribbean markets — grow from seed for consistent supply","Ñame (white Caribbean yam) adds starchiness that thickens the broth slightly — do not substitute regular yam","For the truly traditional preparation: cook the old hen for 1 hour before adding vegetables — they need far less time"}
{"Using young chicken instead of old hen — broth will be thin and under-flavoured","Regular cilantro instead of culantro — similar aroma, but culantro has much more intensity and the dish requires it","Under-cooking the yuca — raw yuca has a fibrous, unpleasant texture; must be fully tender","High heat — produces a cloudy, heavy broth; sancocho broth should be clear"}
Latin American culinary documentation; Panamanian food culture writing