Delicacies: Delicious or Disgusting?

Thus far I have tried several foods native to South America. Let's go on a food journey shall we?

1. Maiz - corn. It doesn't always come on the cob here. There are over 30 varieties of corn and they are eaten in very different ways. In many restaurants you are served a bowl of corn, called choclo, when you sit down (it's like getting chips and salsa at a mexican restaurant in the states). The kernels are each about the size of a nickel and they are sweet. They come with a spicy dipping sauce and have the consistency of lima beans. The good thing about them is that they have virtually no calories. It's like eating sweet and spicy air. There is a special kind of purple corn (that does come on the cob) that is not eaten, but rather used to make a drink called chicha morada. It is a deep purple juice that when left long enough (like years) ferments and tastes similar to sangria. The fermented juice is just called chicha.

2. Tomatoes - Don't tell my dad, but I actually like the tomatoes here. There are over 15 varieties in a range of different colors and textures. I like the smaller sweet ones. Mami puts diced tomatoes in a lot of the 'salads' we eat which brings me to my next point...

3. Salads - they don't actually contain lettuce... There are all kinds of varieties of 'salads' that serve different purposes, many of them medicinal. One salad I like a lot goes with beans and rice. It is finely chopped celery and some sort of special herb that counteracts the beans to prevent you from farting... believe me. I'm not making this up! It's a real thing. and it really works. (and adds flavor to the otherwise bland beans).

4. Camote - Otherwise known as sweet potato, this is my favorite veggie here. It is naturally sweet. That's right, no need to add brown sugar or marshmallows. The flavor is sealed inside. They are good hot, cold, mashed, diced, in salads, with meats, in sauces, and spreads. I could eat camote everyday.

5. Papa rellena - this means "stuffed potato" in spanish. They are similar to twice baked potatoes or potato fluff in the states. Here they are stuffed with a mixture of minced beef, eggs, olives, sometimes cheese or onions and then deep fried or baked to perfection. I need to get the recipe for these.

6. Chifa - a mixture between chinese food and peruvian food, this stuff hits the spot. Lo mein, fried chicken, rice, veggies, etc. If I'm ever craving mings from home I hit up my local chifa restaurant.

7. Anticucho - Cow heart. Let me tell you, I was hesitant to try this one. Close your eyes. Imagine a perfect steak. Now imagine it having even more flavor and being so tender it melts in your mouth. Now open your eyes and eat some anticucho with me. Delicious.

8. Empanadas - where have these been all my life? Empanadas are kind of like hot pockets or calzones but 700 times better. The dough part is kind of sweet and spongey (but in a good way) and the inside can be anything from beef and onions to pizza filling. I could seriously eat these every single day and not get sick of them.

9. Rocoto Relleno - Stuffed peppers. The peppers here are hot hot hot! I can't eat a whole one, but the stuffing inside them is to die for. Minced meat, cheeses, vegetables, and a savory sauce. Rocoto Relleno is one of my favorite side dishes.

10. Pastel de Papas - literally, "potato cake," this side dish is similar to scallop potatoes but so much creamer and richer. It's all in the cheese, and they certainly have the best cheese I have ever tasted in this country.

11. Lucuma - This fruit is native to the Andes region. It is green on the outside and orange on the inside and tastes kind of pumpkiny but is SUPER sweet and has the texture of squash. I don't care for it much but the natives use it in just about anything, even ice cream. No thanks.

12. Buñuelos - Peruvian doughnuts. Yum. They are deep fried and splashed with a sweet dark sauce. They're best when eaten right out of the frying pan. Delicious.

13. Dulce de leche - Caramel. It's thicker and sweeter here and goes well with bread and coffee at dinner.

14. Inca Kola - a carbonated drink found only in Peru, it is bright yellow and tastes like bubble gum.

15. Pisco Sour - This drink is native to Peru. It tastes like key lime pie, but be careful not to drink too much because a main ingredient is raw egg.

16. Aji - This is a spicy sauce that goes with pretty much anything. I don't love it, but some foods need a little kick and this will do it!

17. Cow Stomach - I don't remember the spanish name for this dish, but I don't need to remember it because I'll never be ordering it again. Imagine chewing on rubber for a really long time and eventually just giving up chewing and swallowing it whole and you've got cow stomach. I tried it fried (still rubbery) and in soup (even more rubbery) and am not convinced that I need to try it ever again.

18. Cuy Chactao - Last but not least, guinea pig. It's little eyes and claws are definitely freaky, but the meat is worth it. Tastes like chicken of course, but even more tender and savory : )

So, if this blog has not convinced you that the food here is amazing you just need to get on a plane and come experience it for yourself. I'll be waiting with a plate of anticucho ready for you.