finger licking good

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.

peru eats guinea pig

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.

Written by: Copyright © 2012 · All Rights Reserved · Panama After Dark

Comments
13 Responses to “finger licking good”
  1. marcopolo says:

    wow. i can't wait. i'm going to be the first one on my block to do it.

  2. lakesdiver says:

    I'm off to Peru in september and am already planning to find the local cuyería.

  3. mr. wonderful says:

    Raaaaaaaaaaaaaats!!!

    -Winston Smith c1949

    Hey, without bees flying around, the main course could be hiding under your porch!

    mr. w

  4. Me2 says:

    And what do you think 'conejo' frequently is on menus in Panama?

  5. cojito says:

    lakesdiver – "local cuyería" – 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.

  6. Raul says:

    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.

  7. lakesdiver says:

    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.

  8. capso says:

    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.

  9. marcopolo says:

    "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…

  10. Tmc55 says:

    All's I know is they look like friggin rats. No thanks I will pass on cusquena.

  11. cojito says:

    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.

  12. marcopolo says:

    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

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