Sopa de cola

Sopa de cola is a traditional soup made with oxtail. Typically, the soup is prepared in a large metal pot over an open fire. The pieces of oxtail are cooked long and slow in water to which a great variety of vegetables, herbs, spices, and seasonings are added at staggered intervals throughout the cooking process. Typical ingredients used in the preparation of this rich soup include onions, scallions, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, chayote squashes, pipián squashes, chilote (baby corn), quequisque (a starchy root), ripe plantains, ears of corn, cilantro, and lemon juice. The slow-cooking process results in a flavorful broth filled with tender pieces of bone-in meat and vegetables. Sopa de cola is usually enjoyed piping hot, and it is typically accompanied by a side of rice or chili peppers.