World Foods - Peru - Guinea Pig

By Jonny Blair


On my travels round the globe I have tried many and various food types and will be detailing them regularly. In this report, I take you to Peru where I tried Guinea Pig! Also known as Cui.

I had just finished the epic Inca Trail, which came to a stunning climax in the lost Inca City of Machu Picchu so spirits were high and I was just in awe of the amazing Sacred Valley in Peru. After the Inca Trail came to a close in Machu Picchu, we had been invited for lunch by our tour guide. We had agreed to meet in Chaski Restaurant in Aguas Calientes, PERU at 3 pm. I was hungry and wanted something local. PLUS, it was Christmas Day!!

When I was growing up our annual Christmas dinner was always of high importance. Like a highlight of the year. On this day I found a church in Aguas Calientes for lunch and after that it was time to head to the Peruvian restaurant for Christmas Dinner.

I had never tried Guinea Pig before and was set on it. Peru and Ecuador are the best places in the world to try Guinea Pig. I am adventurous in ordering and trying new food. However I must admit, if I don't like something, I won't finish it just for the sake of it.

I had two options for my Christmas Guinea Pig - either Roasted Guinea Pig ( Cuy al Horno) which is served with potatoes, salad and cheese or Stewed Guinea Pig ( Pepian de Cuy) which is topped with peanut sauce and served with potatoes and rice. Both cost 55 Soles. I was delighted to hear that I would be having potatoes on Christmas Day, and because I used to eat Roasted Turkey, I went for the Roasted Guinea Pig.

The entire Guinea Pig was on the plate, as you can see head and all! It was a cheers all round for our big group of Inca Trail survivors as we ate and drank to our hearts content!

Right so I had the guinea pig, all roasted and for my Christmas Dinner - was it any good? Yes because I ate most of it. You had to pick at the bones for a lot of it and to be honest there were not large chunks of meat in it. But I try anything once and I loved it. It tasted slightly like chicken. After having my guinea pig for Christmas Dinner it was now time for a few beers to relax and celebrate having done the mega 4 day Inca Trail. Guinea Pig in Peru - yes - go and try it!! Happy eating and don't stop living!




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment