Casados

Casados is the masculine plural form of the Spanish adjective casado, meaning married. It can refer to a group of people who are married (los casados) or function as a descriptor for masculine plural subjects. The feminine plural forms are casadas and las casadas, depending on gender. In everyday usage, casados appears in social or legal contexts.

In culinary contexts, casados refers to a traditional Costa Rican meal, the casado plate. The plural casados may appear on menus to indicate multiple plates. A typical casado includes white rice, black beans, a main protein (such as chicken, beef, pork, or fish), fried plantains, and a salad or fresh fruit, often served with tortillas. The dish is commonly eaten for lunch and is widely associated with Costa Rican home cooking; regional variations may adjust components.

Origins and cultural notes: The dish arose as a hearty, balanced meal using staple ingredients, and it has become emblematic of Costa Rican cuisine. The origin of the name is not definitively established; one popular explanation is that casado evokes a complete, married pairing of foods. Today, casados are widely available in restaurants, cafes, and markets throughout the country and beyond.