The cuisine of Ecuador is particularly diverse for a small country, owing to its varying geography that includes the Amazon, the Pacific coast and the Sierra. Click to Subscribe: https://goo.gl/ZJ4OdNKarens uncle grows Cuys (Guinea pigs) out side of the city Cuenca in ecuador. After all, having dogs as pets didn't stop me from trying that meal in Cambodia. The average price of a guinea pig between two people in Ecuador is … Ecuadorians use aji, a spicy chile pepper hot sauce, to season just about everything. From dishes prepared with potatoes, beans, herbs in the sierra cities to seafood and spices with coconut milk near coastal areas, you will soon find that major restaurants and hotels have lots to offer. One portion of Cuy is good to share between two people and also comes served with potatoes, beans and corn. Cuy are not only used for food. Preparación del Cuy plato típico de Cuenca- Ecuador - Duration: 4:17. Cuy, alternately called Cobayo or conejillo de indias is a guinea pig or cavy. Aji is the hot sauce that accompanies … In ancient Incan times, the cuy was either eaten by nobles or used as a fortune-telling method and sacrifice.Today, the animal is viewed as a nutritious staple of the cuisine. Ecuadorian Food is known for its versatile culinary pattern that differs from highlands to the coastal regions. Bookmark the permalink. The meat is usually served whole after being baked or barbecued, and the taste is said to be similar to wild fowl or rabbit. In the Andes, Ecuadorian food is full of pork and root vegetables like yuca. Some dishes, like figs cooked in spiced sugar syrup, are infused with Mediterranean flavors, while others rely on local ingredients prepared with European cooking techniques. Locro: Soup of potatoes, corn, cheese and avocado. You’re going to be surprised by the variety of flavors and foods in Ecuador. Cuy, also called cobayo or conejillo de indias, is a guinea pig and a traditional entrée in South American Andean culture. View all photos Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0 . Some examples of Ecuadorian cuisine in general include patacones (unripe plantains fried in oil, mashed up, and then refried), llapingachos, and seco de chivo (a type of stew made from goat). In the streets of Hornado, you will find roasted pig with potatoes served with plantain, salads, or the tasty traditional fried potato cakes. A popular street food in mountainous regions is hornado (roasted pig), which is often served with llapingacho (a pan seared potato ball). Be sure to send me some cuy jerky upon your return. Peruvian Guinea Pig Recipe (Cuy Chactado) | Travel Food Atlas The country has the most biodiversity per square kilometer of any nation. Cuy is what Ecuadorians call the South American guinea pig dish that they consider a delicacy. They warm the house, keep the rats away and are used for medicinal purposes. Bizarre Food, Cuy in Ecuador March 31, 2015 . In this guide, you’ll learn about traditional dishes (like cuy and secos), chicha (yes, it actually contains fermented saliva), and drinks, fruits and other typical, local dishes. Cuy. Bolon de Verde. Roasted Cuy (guinea pig) is not only still a tradition, but a frequently eaten dish, and widely available. One portion of Cuy is good to share between two people and also comes served with potatoes, beans and corn. It can mean sampling of the local delicacy usually made up of items most people can digest or something totally bizarre like eating fried insects in Thailand, cured horse heart in Budapest, or wood worms in the Philippines. Unusual varieties include: Tomate de arbol – literally tree tomato, similar in shape to a plum tomato, but much sweeter. 6. and sadly yes, guinea pig or cuy is deemed a delicacy in Ecuador; More about other typical Ecuadorian food. Ceviche is a mix of raw seafood and shellfish “cooked” in citric juices, especially lime … THE DAILY MEAL ® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF TRIBUNE PUBLISHING. Travel in the highlands of Inca country, and you're likely to be offered cuy, a traditional Andean entree, on the menu. Chicha – a fermented or non-fermented maize (corn) beverage. Plantains, … Comida típica (typical food):Ecuador and Cuy (guinea pig) This entry was posted on February 4, 2013, in Ecuador, Food, Travel and tagged barbeque, bucket list, cooking, culture, Eating, food, food reviews, photography, recipe, Travel, wildlife. These are soup "alike" dishes cooked with lemon. Tried This? Ecuadorian cuisine, the cuisine of Ecuador, is diverse, varying with altitude, and associated agricultural conditions. The geography of Ecuador determines what people eat in different parts of the country. Ecuadorian cuisine is very diverse despite its small size. Sugar cane alcohol is frequently added. In the mountains, "Sierra" area ——Pork, chicken, beef, and cuy (guinea pig). Mora con guanabana – blackberry mixed with a thick white juice reminiscent of pear. Cuy, or guinea pig, could be called the “turkey of the Andes” because its flavor and texture is … In Ecuador, cuy is often cooked over an open flame and served with boiled potatoes. Andean people rarely buy cuy, as it’s common for a mating pair to be given as a gift to children, special guests, or newlyweds. Ceviche is very traditional and shrimp ceviche is … Drinks . Also, there are a variety of soups based on local vegetables, like sopa de queso (vegetables and white cheese), caldo de bolas, a soup based on plantains to name a few. Another prime example of popular Ecuador food then, popular Ecuador food now is the simple, humble tortilla. This is a list of Ecuadorian dishes and foods. Mote is corn that has been dried and then rehydrated in an alkaline solution, similar to … This is one of the most important dishes of Andean food. This is an exotic and tasty dish you can taste in Ecuador and other neighbouring countries. Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly and eating one is like eating your pet dog. 4:17. Local specialties include ceviche, seafood prepared in lemon juice; lechón, suckling pig; and cuy, whole roasted guinea pig-however, some delicacies may only be for the most adventurous stomachs! Staples of the Ecuadorian diet include potatoes, fish, yuca, rice, beans, shellfish, plantains, chicken, beef, and pork. We share everything about Ecuador food. A variety of stewed steak and chivo are very traditional too. Cuy or roasted guinea-pig is a traditional Ecuadorian food usually served at special events or celebrations. We're at a food fair in Cuenca and the main dish is guinea pig, or better known here in these parts of the Americas as cuy. The cuisine of Ecuador is particularly diverse for a small country, owing to its varying geography that includes the Amazon, the Pacific coast and the Sierra. Seco de chivo . Cuy has been a Peruvian delicacy for over 5,000 years; Peruvians even gave the animal its own national holiday, which is celebrated every year on the second Friday in October. But it does make sense; they’re easy livestock to keep and reproduce extremely fast, as well as being relatively low in fat but high in protein – similar to that other fluffy delicacy, rabbit. Cuy, alternately called Cobayo or conejillo de indias is a guinea pig or cavy. Even though the dishes that we are going to describe to you are traditional to the coast, they are so popular and in high demand that they can be found in any part of the national territory. 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