Piraguas de puerto rico: Piraguas :) | Puerto rico food, Caribbean recipes, Puerto rican recipes
Piragua | Puerto Rico Piragua
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Piragua
A piragua is a Puerto Rican frozen treat, shaped like a pyramid, made of shaved ice and covered with fruit flavored syrup which are sold by vendors, known as piragüeros, in small colorful pushcarts. Piraguas are not only sold in Puerto Rico; they can be found in the United States in areas such as New York, where there is a large Puerto Rican community.
In Puerto Rico the word piragua refers to a frozen treat made of shaved ice and covered with fruit flavored syrup. Unlike the American snow cone which is round and resembles a snowball, the piragua is pointy and shaped like a pyramid. The word piragua is derived from the combination of the Spanish words “Piramide” (pyramid) and “Agua” (water).In Latin America, frozen treats similar to the piragua are known by many different names.
Piragua and the piragüeros
Piragua Cart and Piraguero
The piragua vendor is known as the “Piragüero”. Most Piragüeros sell their product from a colorful wooden pushcart that carries an umbrella, instead of from a fixed stand or kiosk. The Piragüero makes the treats from shavings off a block of solid ice inside his cart and mixtures of fruit-flavored syrups. The tropical syrup flavors vary from lemon and strawberry to passion fruit and guava. Once the syrups are ready, the Piragüero will go to his place of business, which in Puerto Rico is usually close to the town plaza, while in the United States it is usually close to the public parks near Hispanic neighborhoods, to sell his product.
Piragua Hand Ice Shaver
type of Hand Ice Shaver used by the Piragüero
Puerto Rico Piragua
In the process of preparing a piragua, the piragüero shaves the ice from the block of ice with a Hand Ice Shaver. He then puts the shaved ice into a cup and uses a funnel shaped tool to give it the distinctive pyramid shape.
The Piragüero finishes making the piragua after he pours the desired flavored syrup. Unlike the typical American snow cone, which is often eaten with a spoon, the piragua is eaten straight out of the cup or is sipped through a straw. Piragüeros are only out on hot sunny days because those are the only days when they can expect good business.
Syrups
Puerto Rico Piragua Syrups
Piraguas in the United States
“For me, as a Puerto Rican born and raised in New York, a piragua pushcart vendor is a very special person. He represents an important part of our culture. Those shaved-ice cones filled with Caribbean tropical syrups, not only ease the body during the hot summers, their sweet goodness reminds of us of who we are and where we come from, without words.”
- “There are also pushcarts serving “piragua” (shaved ice with your choice of syrup poured over it), and others selling balloons.” – 2 September 1968, Bridgeport (CT) Telegram, “‘La Marqueta’ Offers a Slice of Puerto Rico in New York” by Amei Wallach (UPI) pg.
34, col. 1.
34, col. 1.- “Piraguas and knishes, It’s the season for the 25-cent hot dog, the 20-cent sundae, the 15-cent pretzel (two for a quarter) and an assortment of ethnic delicacies that range from piraguas (scraped ice with syrup) to potato knishes.” — 30 July 1969, New York (NY) Times, “Venders Profits From Universal Taste” by Bernard Weinraub, pg. 41.
- “Piraguas (snow cones) are shaved from blocks of ice inside colorful carts, and offered with sweet syrups poured over them for 30 cents a scoop.” – 13 November 1977, New York (NY) Times, “Old San Juan: Vibrant City Life With a Style That’s High and Low” by Robert Friedman, pg. XX14.
Piragua vending is not limited to Puerto Rico and New York, piragüeros with their Piragua pushcarts can be found in Hispanic neighborhoods in Bridgeport, Chicago, Jersey City, Miami, Newark, Philadelphia and elsewhere.
Piraguas in Old San Juan Puerto Rico
Piragua Supplies
- Global Wholesale Piragua Supllies
- Piragua Syrups
- Ice Shaver
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Comidapiragua flavors, piragua syrup, piragua syrup for sale, piraguas puerto rico, puerto rican piragua syrup for sale
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Shaved Ice (Piragua) | Salima’s Kitchen
Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
Shaved ice (also known as Piragua in Puerto Rico) is a classic dessert made with shaved ice and a sweet, usually fruity topping.
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While this post will teach you how to make any kind of shaved ice you like, this particular flavor is topped with a creamy coconut cinnamon topping.
The classic flavors of sweet coconut and warm cinnamon are a signature of many of the most popular Puerto Rican recipes like this Coquito and Arroz con Dulce.
Ingredients
For the Ice:
- 4 cups ice
For the Piragua Coconut Topping: (see note for options)
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed coconut milk
- 2 tbsp coconut milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably already researched buying an ice shaving machine.
While they are definitely out there and have glowing reviews, I’m here to tell you it’s not a necessary tool in making this recipe.
As long as you own a good quality blender, you can shave your own ice without needing a new (giant and expensive) kitchen appliance.
I recommend investing in a great blender that will last the test of time and be a life saver for recipes like this.
Otherwise, you can use a food processor or a shaving tool specific for the job.
How to Make It
Prepare the topping. Whisk together the condensed milk with the coconut milk and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
Shave the ice. Using a blender, food processor, or ice shaving machine, shave the ice until similar to snow in consistency.
Shaved ice will adopt whatever flavor you pour over it. Get creative with your favorite flavors and use what you have available in your fridge. Scroll for more ideas.
Serve. Fill cups with the shaved ice before pouring the coconut mix over top.
Tip: for a super smooth and creamy coconut topping, whip the coconut milk and condensed coconut milk with an immersion blender before combining.
Topping Variations
The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to shaved ice toppings.
Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Simple/Italian Syrups – us your favorite Italian syrup or make your own using equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Add a squeeze of lemon juice or your favorite flavoring and cool before using.
- Fruit Compotes – stew your favorite fruits in a small saucepan with a bit of sugar, strain out the solids and cool before pouring the fruit reduction over the shaved ice.
- Creamsicles – riff off my recipe below and use coconut or heavy cream to create a creamsicle-type flavor profile. Use 1 part cream to 3 parts whatever syrup you like (orange, raspberry, Rootbeer, etc. ).
- Keep it Light – keep the prep and clean up minimal and opt for a squeeze of your favorite fruit juice and a sprinkle of sugar (optional).
).As always, I encourage you to start with what you have in your fridge. A lemon and a handful of berries can go a long way when stewed with a few spoonfuls of sugar!
Traditional Puerto Rican Piragua Toppings
Many of the traditional Puerto Rican piragua flavors are inspired by tropical fruit available on the island.
Here are some of my favorites:
- Coco – this is one of the most popular and for good reason! My recipe below is inspired by this classic topping flavor.
- China – an orange flavored topping
- Fresa – a sweet strawberry topping
While there are infinitely many Piragua flavors you can find accross the island, what makes gives this version of shaved ice that Puerto Rican signature is the distinctive pyramid shape.
Snow Cones vs. Shaved Ice
You may be wondering what is the difference between shaved ice and snow cones?
In general, snow cones are made up of larger pieces of ice, while shaved ice is known for it’s snow-like texture.
There are desserts found all over the world that resemble this recipe.
In Puerto Rico we call it Piragua, but in Hawaii they call their Hawaiian rendition Kakigōri. Wherever you’re enjoying it, shaved ice is easily distinguishable thanks to it’s soft, light and fluffy texture.
Storage
Like most single serve frozen treats, shaved ice is best enjoyed fresh, before it melts!
If you’re preparing this recipe for a crowd, prep the ice and the topping before hand, store separately for up to 5 days, and assemble when ready to serve.
Cheers,
Ingredients
Scale
For the Shaved Ice:
- 4 cups ice
For the Coconut Topping: (see note for options)
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed coconut milk
- ½ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
background-color h4-color.color h4-transform.text-transform”>Instructions
- Prepare the topping. Whisk together the condensed milk with the coconut milk and cinnamon until smooth and creamy. Chill in the fridge until ready to use.
- Shave the ice. Using a blender, food processor, or ice shaving machine, shave the ice until similar to snow in consistency.
- Serve. Fill cups with the shaved ice before pouring the coconut mix over top.
Notes
- Tip: for a super smooth and creamy coconut topping, whip the coconut milk and condensed coconut milk with an immersion blender before combining.
