Guinea Pig Traditional Peruvian Food

The crispy one for those who do not like the idea of seeing the whole animal served on their plate.

Guinea pig traditional peruvian food. Picture if you will though a melt in your mouth tender dark meat imbued with the taste of wood smoke all beneath. A fried guinea pig dish of peru mostly famous in the highlands. Olluco is a yellowish tuber ullucus tuberosus domesticated by pre inca populations and is visually similar to colorful small andean potatoes but with a distinct crunchy texture when cooked. A traditional food guinea pig called cuy in peru has been served whole on special occasions since inca times.

What does it taste like. Thanks to the idea and creativity of peruvian chefs guinea pig meat can be found now in many different presentations. Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly and eating one is like eating your pet dog. Guinea pig cuy is a delicacy that is very typically associated with typical peruvian cuisine but it is also eaten throughout other countries of south america such as ecuador colombia and bolivia.

Barbecued version cooked in cylinder or roasted for grill lovers and. While chicken or beef is farmed in the northern hemisphere guinea pig cuy is traditionally consumed in peru s andean region. Olluquito con charqui traditional peruvian food. Eaten before during and after the inca period this is a low fat.

Besides the use of guinea pigs as separate meals they are often cooked in a pachamanca with other meats and vegetables. Don t miss these essential peruvian specialties en route to machu picchu. The thoughts of eating a rodent or a pet may seem repulsive to some. The traditional picante de cuy spicy guinea.

It happens every year on the second friday of october put it in your. Remember that even dogs are eaten in many countries and guinea pigs have been a source of nutritious food for the inca for centuries. As you might have guessed guinea pigs are not beloved pets in peru. Instead they are a traditional and important source of protein in the andes where they are known as cuy pronounced coo ee named after the sound the animal makes guinea pig meat was an important part of the pre colonial diet in peru way before the europeans introduced chicken pigs and cows to south america and it has.

A tasty stew prepared with ulluku finely diced vegetable and meat pieces. One of the more unique delicacies in peruvian food is cuy a baked or fried guinea pig served with potatoes. In fact peru loves cuy so much that they even have a national holiday to celebrate the guinea pig. Potato and salads serve as accompaniments with this lip smacking dish.

This balance occurs because traditional peruvian food relies on. Olluquito con charqui is another traditional andean dish. Guinea pig or cuy in spanish is the second most popular source of meat in the andes alpaca being the first. The peruvian guinea pig dish cuy is mostly served on special occasions rather than as a meal eaten regularly but is readily available for adventurous tourists to try in restaurants or at.

It s not a regular meal for peruvians but is often served on special occasions such as holidays and birthdays.