Travelling means trying new and random foods. One such food was Guinea pig in Peru! Just one of countless meals over the years. Guinea Pig is known as Cui in Peru.
With the Inca Trail behind me and having just seen the lost Inca City of Machu Picchu, it was time to relax in the town of Aguas Calientes in Peru. Everyone was in awe of the surroundings and we made plans to meet at Chaski restaurant for lunch at 3pm. I was going to be hungry and was thinking of trying something local.
As a child Christmas Dinner was always a special occassion. It was nice that I could visit the church in Aguas Calientes before heading to Chaski Restaurant for the Peruvian Christmas Dinner, with a difference.
I had never eaten Guinea Pig in my life so I was looking immensely forward to it. Apparently Ecuador and Peru are the main places you can eat guinea pig - somewhat a delicacy. I love trying new food, but if I don't like it, to be honest I don't always finish it!
I had two options for my Christmas Guinea Pig - either Roasted Guinea Pig ( Cuy al Horno) which is served with potatoes, salad and cheese or Stewed Guinea Pig ( Pepian de Cuy) which is topped with peanut sauce and served with potatoes and rice. Both cost 55 Soles. I was delighted to hear that I would be having potatoes on Christmas Day, and because I used to eat Roasted Turkey, I went for the Roasted Guinea Pig.
And soon my roasted guinea pig was here and ready to be eaten. Our table raised a toast to completing the Inca Trail and we all ate and drank to our hearts content.
Right so I had the guinea pig, all roasted and for my Christmas Dinner - was it any good? Yes because I ate most of it. You had to pick at the bones for a lot of it and to be honest there were not large chunks of meat in it. But I try anything once and I loved it. It tasted slightly like chicken. After having my guinea pig for Christmas Dinner it was now time for a few beers to relax and celebrate having done the mega 4 day Inca Trail. Guinea Pig in Peru - yes - go and try it!! Happy eating and don't stop living!
With the Inca Trail behind me and having just seen the lost Inca City of Machu Picchu, it was time to relax in the town of Aguas Calientes in Peru. Everyone was in awe of the surroundings and we made plans to meet at Chaski restaurant for lunch at 3pm. I was going to be hungry and was thinking of trying something local.
As a child Christmas Dinner was always a special occassion. It was nice that I could visit the church in Aguas Calientes before heading to Chaski Restaurant for the Peruvian Christmas Dinner, with a difference.
I had never eaten Guinea Pig in my life so I was looking immensely forward to it. Apparently Ecuador and Peru are the main places you can eat guinea pig - somewhat a delicacy. I love trying new food, but if I don't like it, to be honest I don't always finish it!
I had two options for my Christmas Guinea Pig - either Roasted Guinea Pig ( Cuy al Horno) which is served with potatoes, salad and cheese or Stewed Guinea Pig ( Pepian de Cuy) which is topped with peanut sauce and served with potatoes and rice. Both cost 55 Soles. I was delighted to hear that I would be having potatoes on Christmas Day, and because I used to eat Roasted Turkey, I went for the Roasted Guinea Pig.
And soon my roasted guinea pig was here and ready to be eaten. Our table raised a toast to completing the Inca Trail and we all ate and drank to our hearts content.
Right so I had the guinea pig, all roasted and for my Christmas Dinner - was it any good? Yes because I ate most of it. You had to pick at the bones for a lot of it and to be honest there were not large chunks of meat in it. But I try anything once and I loved it. It tasted slightly like chicken. After having my guinea pig for Christmas Dinner it was now time for a few beers to relax and celebrate having done the mega 4 day Inca Trail. Guinea Pig in Peru - yes - go and try it!! Happy eating and don't stop living!
About the Author:
To read more articles like Eating Roasted Guinea Pig head to Jonny Blair's global travel, work and lifestyle site called Dont Stop Living for regular travel features and tips.. Free reprint available from: Eating Guinea Pig in Peru.
