Guinea Pig Typical Food In Peru

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 continued as a tradition.

Guinea pig typical food in peru. Top chefs in peru. Today this tiny animal has a special day on the list of national holidays in peru. Picture if you will though a melt in your mouth tender dark meat imbued with the taste of wood smoke all beneath a crispy golden skin. Guinea pig or cuy in spanish is the second most popular source of meat in the andes alpaca being the first.

The growing popularity of guinea pig meat in high end restaurants in peru is helping to usher in the return of a traditional and environmentally friendly industry led by women. Between the period of july and november many villages and cities across the country commemorate guinea pigs. The meat of the little animal has seen a gastronomic boom in recent years not only in peru but also in the united states. The cuy or guinea pig is a traditional food of the peruvian andes.

The thoughts of eating a rodent or a pet may seem repulsive to some. It s not a regular meal for peruvians but is often served on special occasions such as holidays and birthdays. Yes that little hamster like creature you had as a childhood pet is somewhat of a delicacy in the andean highlands and has been a traditional part of the peruvian and bolivian diets since pre colonial times. What they are is a delicious delicacy best served with potatoes and salsa.

Staples brought by the spanish include rice wheat and meats beef pork and chicken. Cultivated by the incas in the andes for centuries the guinea pig was cheaper to raise and required less room to farm than pigs and cattle. A traditional food guinea pig called cuy in peru has been served whole on special occasions since inca times. Also there are local festivals which are even more important.

The most popular happen in huancayo lima cusco and. So upon arrival in cusco peru we knew that part of our culinary adventure had to be cuy or guinea pig. The four traditional staples of peruvian cuisine are corn potatoes and other tubers and amaranthaceaes quinoa kañiwa and kiwicha and legumes beans and lupins. A typical meal of cuy guinea pig served with salad and potatoes one of the more unique delicacies in peruvian food is cuy a baked or fried guinea pig served with potatoes.

In peru it s estimated that some 65 million guinea pigs are consumed each year.