Ay Cuchifritos !

 

Cuchifritos (koo-chee-free-tohs) refers to various fried foods prepared principally of pork, in Puerto Rican cuisine. They include a variety of dishes including but not limited to morcilla (blood sausage), papas rellenas (fried potato balls stuffed with meat), chicharron (fried pork skin), and various other parts of the pig prepared in different ways. Cuchifritos vendors also typically serve juices and drinks such as passionfruit, pineapple, and coconut juice, as well as ajonjolí, a drink made from sesame seeds.
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The term originally referred to small, fried parts of a pig. It derives its name from the word "cuchí" short for "cochino" or pig and "frito" which describes something that is fried. "Cuchifritos" may also be used to refer to restaurants that serve this type of food.
[edit]In New York City

In New York City, vendors advertising cuchifritos are particularly notable because they tend to make use of colorful external lighting and big flashy signs that quickly catch the eyes of passersby. These establishments have dotted the Puerto Rican and Dominican areas of New York City for the past fifty years, particularly Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, South Bronx, Brooklyn, and other primarily Puerto Rican and Dominican neighborhoods.
[edit]Dishes

Dishes served in a cuchifrito:
Alcapurria - torpedo-shaped fritters made with yucca flour
Bacalaítos - a pancake-like batter containing salted codfish, flour, water or beer, sofrito, spices, and herbs.
Beef Pattie - Puerto Rican beef patties are filled with picadillo and cheese.
Chicharron - a dish made of fried pork rinds. It is sometimes made from chicken, mutton, or beef.
Empanadas - flour or yuca dough stuffed with cheese, chicken, seafood, Turkey or picadillo.
Morcilla - is generally a thicker sausage, about 2 ½ to 3 inches across, stuffed with pig's blood, rice, onions and spices.
Relleno de papa - mashed potatoes stuffed with picadillo or cheese then deep fried.
Plátano relleno - mashed sweet plantains stuffed with picadillo or cheese then deep fried.
Pasteles - in a cuchifrito they are done in a traditional manner with green banana masa and boston butt filling. There are extra fillings such as raisins, chickpeas and other meats.