Guinea Pig Food Festival Peru

In fact an estimated 65 million guinea pigs are consumed annually in peru.

Guinea pig food festival peru. Eating cuy is such a tradition in fact an estimated 65 million guinea pigs are consumed annually in peru that there are festivals celebrating the humble beast with contests for the best dressed largest and of course best tasting guinea pig. In the past few years their. They are served pretty much as a fish would be served often only the intestines are removed. These dishes present not only a wide range of tastes but also peru s geographical regions.

There s now even an annual festival in the town of huacho where guinea pigs are dressed up and judged in various categories including fattest and best dressed there s even a fashion show. Guinea pig festival in peru the one day festival includes an animal show and a food and fashion contest which features the guinea pig native to the andes advertisement. Also there are local festivals which are even more important. That s a lot of guinea pig.

Diego oka executive chef at la mar gaston acurio s miami restaurant served up guinea pig at the restaurant for peruvian independence day. Hundreds of stands line up and there s food as far as the eye can see and as far as the nose can smell. A banner promoting helado de cuy or guinea pig ice cream is put up in quito ecuador the rodents are a traditional hot dish in countries like colombia peru and bolivia. Today this tiny animal has a special day on the list of national holidays in peru.

Guinea pigs bred for food are eaten once they have reached a couple of months old. Media caption inside a guinea pig farm. Between the period of july and november many villages and cities across the country commemorate guinea pigs. 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.

Most people see them as fluffy adorable pets but in peru guinea pigs or cuy as they are known locally are a delicacy. Cuy dishes form part of the novoandina new andean cuisine movement but most regions in peru will have their own recipe. 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 different food stalls. Peruvians even declared a national holiday every second friday in october to celebrate the guinea pig.

Cuy guinea pig lomo saltado ají de gallina and papa a la huancaína.