![]() It is what Dominicans call passionfruit, known as parcha or parchita in several Hispanic countries. In some regions of the Dominican Republic, oranges are called naranjas dulces (sweet oranges) to differentiate them from naranjas agrias (see below). Some oranges are called chinas in parts of the DR, so the Dominican jugo de china would sound like gibberish to anyone not in the know. What we know as cherries in English are called simply “cherries” (said with a Dominican accent) in the DR. In English, it is called acerola cherry ( Malpighia emarginata). What the Dominicans call cereza is not really a cherry: it is paler in color and not as even in texture. ![]() BrócoliĪlthough most Spanish speakers stick to the Spanish spelling of the Italian “ broccoli” – brócoli, some call it brécol. The actual Dominican batata is known as Oriental yam in English. In the Andes, we find camote, better known as boniato or batata, and sweet potato in English. AuyamaĪuyama is the name in the Dominican Republic for a variety of locally-grown pumpkins and squashes. What is called sesamo in most Spanish-speaking countries ( sesame in English), we call ajonjolí. This means pepper, which is also sometimes called chile in other countries, although this usually refers to the spicier varieties. ![]() What's called pimiento in most of the Hispanic world we call ají. In the Andean region, we come across palta for avocado. The standard Spanish word aguacate for avocado originates in Mexico and is derived from the Aztec ahucatl which actually means “testicle”, and suggests that the Aztecs may have had a rather vivid imagination -or strange-looking gonads. In many cases, however, the indigenous name (or names) prevailed and are used to this day in standard Spanish and sometimes even in other languages. Blame the conquistadors: in the case of several fruits and vegetables -as well as many flowers and birds of the Americas- when the Spaniards arrived in the New World, they often would not think up new names for the things they came across but would give them the name of the nearest thing they thought it resembled. ![]()
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