The origins of pasteles, however, can be traced back several centuries to Spanish colonial times, before they became an essential Puerto Rican Christmas dish. In Eating Puerto Rico: A History of ...

For something sweet, try tembleque (a coconut custard), pastelitos de guayaba (a guava-filled pastry) or mantecaditos (a Puerto Rican shortbread cookie). Drinks in Puerto Rico are a huge part of ...

Made from meat and guineo and wrapped in banana leaves, pasteles are typically eaten during the holidays. For three generations, Tere Foods in Isabela, Puerto Rico has specialized in making pasteles.