Bringing families together around a shared pot

Panamanian sancocho is one of the country’s most enduring traditional dishes, a hearty chicken soup that reflects the blend of indigenous, African and Spanish culinary influences that have shaped Panama’s food culture over centuries.

Its origins are rooted in pre-Columbian indigenous broths, later enriched by colonial ingredients such as herbs, citrus and meats introduced through Spanish influence and the transatlantic exchange of food traditions. Over time, sancocho became a daily staple in...