CUSCO FOOD: 6 TYPICAL DISHES THAT YOU SHOULD TASTE DURING YOUR VISIT
Posted on : 17 February 2023
Cusco Food
Peru is one of the countries recognized worldwide for its gastronomy, it was chosen for 10 consecutive years as the best culinary destination in the world.
Cusco, for being one of the most recognized destinations, has an autochthonous gastronomy due to the use of local organic products rich in proteins, such as: potatoes, corn, quinoa and different meats such as alpaca, lamb and pork.
The phenomenon of culinary miscegenation has positioned Cusco food well with visitors from all over the world.
Below we will mention some options of Cusco food that you should not miss on your visit to the beautiful imperial city of the Incas:
Chairo:
It is a traditional Andean soup from Cusco, this Cusco food was created by the peasants because after long days of physical effort they needed a consistent dish to appease hunger, in this way this delicious and nutritious but above all energetic soup arises.
The ingredients that prevail in this recipe are lamb meat, dehydrated beef and chuño, this last result of the dehydration of potatoes practiced since Inca times.
Chiri uchu
The Chiri Uchu is the “flagship dish” of the Cusco region and of the Corpus Christi festivities, a Catholic festivity that brings together patron saints and virgins from all the city’s parishes.
The name “Chiri Uchu” means cold chili because it is served cold, it is said that it arises from the chasquis in the time of the Incas who carried their food in their “chuspa” or bag and therefore tended to eat it cold.
With the arrival of the Spanish in Peru and during the colony it was combined with ingredents from the coast, mountains and jungle of Peru, the dish evolved with the fusion of European culture and Andean traditions.
This Cusco food consists of toasted white corn, Andean cheese, guinea pig, chicken, dehydrated beef or “Cecina”, jerky, cochayuyo or seaweed, fish egg, corn tortilla and rocoto; the trick to taste this dish is to combine all the flavors at once.
Baked piglet
This Cusco food is consumed by the population generally on holidays and also on the first day of November in the traditional festival of all saints, you can find it in most restaurants in the city.
The suckling pig generally has to be well seasoned to let it rest a day before and take it to the oven the next day, in this way it can be enjoyed accompanied by a tamale, morayas or wheat bread.
Baked guinea pig
The guinea pig was domesticated in the Andes more than 3,000 years ago, they are used for rituals and party dishes.
There is no peasant house without it; Guinea pig meat, whose flavor is similar to that of rabbit or chicken, is particularly rich with more than 20 percent easily digestible protein and generous in iron with very little fat.
It is a well-known Cusco food prepared by local families, born in an attempt to find new ways to take advantage of the nutritional contributions of the guinea pig.
The baked guinea pig in its preparation has guinea pig in pieces, panca chili pepper, corn, huayro potato and other additions, it is definitely one of the dishes that surprises more than one tourist with its unique flavor and its curious presentation.
Quinoa soup
Quinoa is a purely Andean grain that was considered a sacred food for the Incas, it contains twice as much protein as rice and barley, it also has fiber and minerals, and is currently known worldwide for its nutritional contribution to food.
The quinoa soup should be on this list. It is a well-known and nutritious soup prepared by the populations of Cusco that is preferred by Cusco families for its lightness and delicious flavor. Most tourists are encouraged to try this delicious Cusco food in the cold season.
Broad bean kapchi
It is one of the Cusco food that consists of a preparation of green beans with potatoes, huacatay, cheese and a dressing of onion, chili, garlic and other seasonings.
The soft aroma of the huacatay combined with the flavor of the broad beans and the creaminess of the milk and cheese make this dish a true wonder, it is very nutritious and a great option for those who opt for vegetarian Cusco food.
These are some of the typical Cusco food that you must try yes or yes on your trip to visit this wonderful region.
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