Depending on your point of view you may find the delicacy of roast guinea pig in Peru as a horrid way of treating our squeaking furry friends or just another local speciality to try. My friend Joanne decided to keep an open mind and give it a try on her trip to Peru.
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Tasting the local maize beer
Joanne was staying in the town of Aguas Calientes before her visit to Machu Picchu. Her group stopped at the house of one of their guide’s relatives who had been brewing Chicha, the local maize beer.
Apparently the chicha only keeps for a few days and so the villagers take it in turn to make the home brew. A red rag or plastic bag is put on a pole outside to let passers by know that it’s ready.
Joanne tried both versions of the drink. The red maize chicha she thought tasted of strawberries. She found the yellow maize chicha less appetising – the texture was a bit like an alcoholic smoothie.
As they were leaving the house, Joanne heard squeaking coming from the other side of the courtyard. When she enquired where the noise was coming from, was shown two stables full of guinea pigs running around.
Peruvian guinea pigs
The first was full of fat little mummy guinea pigs, either pregnant or with their babies. The second stable was where the the guinea pigs were moved to fatten up before being sent to the great cooking pot in the sky.
Later, after she had come down the mountain from Machu Picchu, Joanne got to try out the local delicacy at a local restaurant. Their guide had arranged for her group to have it as a starter to try.
Beware! the Peruvians are very proud of their roast guinea pigs and can’t understand why anyone would not want to sample their local dish. It’s as natural to them as a Frenchman eating snails or an American eating a Big Mac.
Sampling roast guinea pig delicacy
The guinea pig arrived at the table looking as it it had been squashed flat by a rolling pin with a surprised expression. A pepper was popped into its open mouth and it was stuffed with a mixture of spicy rice and vegetables.
It looked a bit like crispy duck but with a taste of chicken. The guinea pig was on a plate that was spun round and whichever piece ended up nearest to you was the bit you ate. She was quite thankful that she got a leg rather than the head, which is considered the tastiest morsel although she found it quite bony.
Joanne washed it down with a Pisco Sour. She was pleased that the meat stew and potatoes that followed was a little closer to what she’d normally eat at home. So that was Joanne’s Christmas night dinner with a difference.
Are you one of those who tries every unusual food that’s going as part of the experience? Or do you stick to the familiar dishes that you’d eat at home? Would guinea pig be on your list of things to try?
See all Joanne’s photos on Flickr
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
Lisa
Sunday 14th of April 2013
As a child from 9 to 11 I had pet Guinea Pigs, and for that reason alone, I could NEVER eat one. I did, however, try monkey meat in 1978 in the Dominican Republic. I didn't know what it was, and it was prepared inside little pastry crusts. When we finished eating, our "hosts" told us what we had just eaten. I must say, it really wasn't that bad. I was only 16 at the time, and my spirit of adventure was just beginning. Since then, I have had many different foods from many different countries, but I have to admit, I don't think I could ever eat something that I consider to be pets, ie, Guinea Pigs. :^(
Heather Cowper
Sunday 14th of April 2013
@Lisa That's quite understandable, although it makes us realise how cultural norms help set our expectations of what is normal. In the UK we keep rabbits as family pets, but when I go to Greece, my sister's mother in law keeps them in hutches in the garden to use in stews.
Ken G
Saturday 8th of December 2012
Half of all animal protein eaten in Peru is guinea pig. They eat barley grass. Taste like gamy pork.
Heather Cowper
Saturday 8th of December 2012
@Ken Thanks, I wouldn't mind trying one at all, except I worry there might be some small bones and it not be than a mouthful
Hey big spender | housegoeshome
Tuesday 2nd of October 2012
[...] make your children cry. But they love ‘em spit-roasted in Peru, I hear. I quite enjoyed Heather On Her Travels‘ description of tasting the local delicacy: “The guinea pig arrived at the table [...]
iloveguineapigs
Monday 13th of August 2012
Thats cruel i love guinea pigs they are not meant for eating their loving companions.
BCP Veterinary Pharmacy
Thursday 5th of December 2019
I agree!
Heather
Monday 13th of August 2012
@Iloveguineapigs Well, I know that in the west the guinea pigs are our furry friends but then different countries have different customs regarding what we eat and what we don't. Many people keep rabbits as pets but in Greece they keep them in the garden ready to make a rabbit stew.
uchiha0809
Wednesday 18th of January 2012
Do you think pig farming is a good business?