Eating Cuy (guinea pig)

bitsviajeros (48)in #food • 7 years ago

One of the typical food of the andes is Cuy (guinea pig). I know that in many countries guinea pigs are pets, but in Peruvian Andes they are bred for eating.

In June I went to Cusco for a traditional festivity, the Corpus Christi a catholic ceremony that is mixed with andean prehispanic traditions. Only during this month it is possible to find:

"Chririuchu" a typical plate made of cuy (guinea pig), hen, corn omelette, cheese, home made sausage, fish eggs, cochayuyo (seaweeds), canchita (toasted corn) and rocoto (hot pepper).

The guinea pig is stuffed with herbs. To prepare Chiriuchu takes about 3 days and it is served cold. I prefer eating the cuy warm. Chiriuchu is a quechua (native language of the Andes) word than means cold chilly