CHURIN, Peru -
what barbecued treat compliments Andean potatoes, choclo (Peruvian corn), and cold cusquena? i’ll give you a hint, it’s too fat, has zero cholesterol, and when alive, can be found smearing feces, and urine into its food and bedding.
that’s right, i’m talking about everyone’s least favorite childhood pet, the guinea pig, or cuy, as the Peruvians prefer to call them.
mom, dad, you’ve probably flushed more than one of these ignoble creatures. but next time junior’s fluffy friend croaks - why not cook him up?
the guinea pig, not your kid.
few americans know that guinea pigs are not just the world’s lamest pets, they’re also a staple food of the Andean people. Peruvians do love their guinea pigs. and it doesn’t matter if they’re baked, fried or grilled.
there are some, mostly people of low breeding, who go to Peru to find lost cities, like Machu Picchu. but for 20 soles (about $7), the savvy traveler can boast of dining on rodent.
i know, you’d think rodent would cost a lot more. they’re cheap in peru. but that could change with the signing of the free trade agreement. so don’t wait too long to visit.
peru’s annual festival of the cuy falls on the 24th of june. the festival’s a wild scene, featuring brass bands, and contests for the “biggest, best-dressed, and tastiest Guinea pigs.” this year’s winner tipped the scales at 8 lbs.
yum, just think of all the guinea pig sandwiches he’d make.
wow. i can’t wait. i’m going to be the first one on my block to do it.
Comment by marcopolo — June 27, 2007 @ 8:53 am
I’m off to Peru in september and am already planning to find the local cuyerÃa.
Comment by lakesdiver — June 27, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaats!!!
-Winston Smith c1949
Hey, without bees flying around, the main course could be hiding under your porch!
mr. w
Comment by mr. wonderful — June 27, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
And what do you think ‘conejo’ frequently is on menus in Panama?
Comment by Me2 — June 27, 2007 @ 12:37 pm
ps
http://tinyurl.com/yphknk –for the visual feast
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paca –conejo pintado in Panama
http://www.buddies.org/kvsource/cousins.html
Comment by Me2 — June 27, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
lakesdiver - “local cuyerÃa” - that’s too funny. i had no idea there were places that specialized.
are you going to dive in peru? or just stuff yourself with rodent?
me2 - no, i haven’t tried the bunny. why do they call it a painted rabbit, if it’s really a rodent?
my spam catcher held up your second comment. but, i love those links. lol i don’t know why, but it’s a bit twisted seeing guinea pigs laid out on dinner plates like that.
Comment by cojito — June 27, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Tastes kinda like chicken (doesn’t everything?) but the whole thing has too much bone and not enough meat.
Then again, that’s what the ladies say about me, too.
Comment by Raul — June 27, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
No diving. Nothing to see in Titicaca. Besides, high altitude diving is a pain. You gotta lug your gear uphill. I’m just gonna eat cuy and drink pisco sours.
Comment by lakesdiver — June 29, 2007 @ 9:31 am
i had my first cuy in ecuador, yum. back then (’94) i heard stories that ecuadorians living in the states would regularly clean out the inventory at k-marts for their sunday meal.
Comment by capso — June 29, 2007 @ 10:10 am
“you ought to write a book on wines, count,” i said.
“mr barnes,” answered the count, “all i want out of wines is to enjoy them.” (hemingway, the sun also rises.)
it’s a ketel one kind of night. is there anything better than a warm latin woman with smooth, sweet-smelling skin, a soft shaved pussy and deep dark eyes as big as saucers…?
life is just too fucking short…
Comment by marcopolo — June 29, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
All’s I know is they look like friggin rats. No thanks I will pass on cusquena.
Comment by Tmc55 — June 29, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
marco - yes, life is too short.
but a man cannot live on vodka, and shaved pussy alone. sometimes you’ve just got to eat the rodent.
Comment by cojito — June 29, 2007 @ 10:20 pm
cojito
check this guy out. you will love him. i’ve been reading him for years. he’s a crabby old drunk asshole…kinda like you!!
http://fredoneverything.net
Comment by marcopolo — July 1, 2007 @ 12:36 pm