I had the pleasure of spending about a week and a half in Peru and while I wasn’t riding stubborn horses or chasing monkeys stealing my clothes around, I had the opportunity to eat very well. Until I realized that I was going to be in Peru (about a month ago), I had no idea that there was a culinary treasure trove to be had.
Peruvian food is unlike anything else, so it’s difficult to compare or even describe. But I’ll attempt to share some highlights.
From the exotic: I ate alpaca. Which is kind of like a more adorable llama. I found it to be lean, but tasty – like elk. I also ate cuy. What is cuy, you ask? Well, it’s guinea pig. This may be hard to believe, but it’s actually really, really good. The meat reminded me of poultry, but the crispy fat was like pork belly. I tried it at a very upscale restaurant so it was obviously well prepared, but the meat was for sure tasty, regardless of preparation.
Potato varieties here are a plenty. Another favorite of mine was the large kernel corn that they sell just about everywhere in Cusco. Popcorn is also immensely popular, and like their potatoes, comes in many different varieties.
Food at the Amazon refuge was pretty au natural. A lot of local fruit and vegetables along with some meat. Let’s say between that and all the hiking, I got a good start to a diet regime. That said, I did get to try a lot of fruits that are insanely expensive, or just unavailable in the states and eat them right off the trees. For example, star fruit, passion fruit, this tomato juice that was really good. Not the tomato you’re thinking of. It’s called tomato de arbol and can’t be eaten, but made into juice. Similar to pineapple juice, but less sweet.
I also got to eat a banana off a tree. I know bananas aren’t terrible exciting, but pulling it off the tree and eating it certainly was. Speaking of off trees…fresh brazil nuts….I don’t know how I’ll be able to go back, especially since there’s no machete involved in opening the ones we buy at the store.
The pisco sours that are allegedly the national drink of peru (I say allegedly because here in Chile, they say it’s their national drink) are delicious. Somewhere between a margarita and a whiskey sour with an egg white. And you get one free just about everywhere. Another soft drink I kept seeing on airplanes and in convenience stores was Inca Kola. It was bright yellow. I was intrigued….and then disappointed. It was pretty much just cream soda…not my favorite.
Finally, although there’s not much to do in Lima, if you have the opportunity to stay and eat a few meals, I would recommend it. There are some really top-notch restaurants around that are very reasonably priced. I had a rather memorable scallops (still in their shells) and toasted parmesan experience that I won’t soon forget. And while passé now in the states among the tragically trendy, ceviche is still very much a staple. Peru claims it….but I’ve heard other Latin American countries making similar claims.
Bottom line, even if you don’t want to venture too far into the exotic, there is something here for everyone. Buen Provecho!
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