Guinea Pig Cuy Peru Food

Breeders tend to use the more formal cavy to describe the animal while in scientific and laboratory contexts it is far more commonly referred to by the more colloquial guinea pig.

Guinea pig cuy peru food. Believe it or not guinea pigs originated in the andean region colombia ecuador bolivia and peru and were originally raised specifically for eating. It wasn t until the spanish came and started sending guinea pigs to europe that the furry creatures were treated as pets. A candide winter in little burgundy. Guinea pigs are an indigenous animal and an easy source of protein for locals.

Join myself and travis as we try eating peru s delicacy guinea pig also known as cuy. Peru s sacred valley part 1. Cuy is a delicious delicacy best served with potatoes and salsa. They re not pigs and they don t come from guinea.

There are two main cuy dishes popular in peru. Cuy al horno sometimes also called cuy al palo baked guinea pig cooked over a spit served whole and stuffed with herbs cuy chactado fried guinea pig often squashed under stones before frying. While it might seem unconventional to tuck into furry critters better known as domesticated pets in the west this indigenous mammal has been a staple. Guinea pigs are also high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol.

When in lima eat all the ceviche. How to manage altitude sickness. 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. Current crush november 2015 edition.

In peru it s estimated that some 65 million guinea pigs are consumed each year. What to do and where to eat in cusco. Cuy pronounced kwee which is guinea pig. Holiday gift ideas for the food and travel lover on your list a giveaway.

The cuy peruano peruvian guinea pig is related to another animal called a cavy a large rodent found in south america. 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. Peruvians even declared a national holiday every second friday in october to celebrate the guinea pig. Cultivated by the incas in the andes for centuries the guinea pig was cheaper to raise and required less room to farm than pigs and cattle.