Peruvian Delicacy of Cuy: Dining on Roasted Guinea Pig
Cuy: An Acquired Taste
Just when you are trying to decide whether to vacation in Waikiki or Peru, the news comes in that the national dish of Peru is the Guinea Pig, or cuy in Peruvian. This tie-breaker is a necessary bit of info for the intrepid traveler, as the Peruvians actually expect you to eat these cute, over-sized rats.
From The Honolulu Star Bulletin:
My culinary adventure may be inexcusable to some, but I was, after all, in the land of the Incas: Peru, where guinea pigs have been eaten for more than a thousand years and roast guinea pig is a national delicacy. Signs outside restaurants prominently display photos advertising the availability of roast “cuy” (pronounced coo-ee), the Latin American Spanish name for guinea pig.
I think the inexcusable part is right.
These little creatures–for which the Peruvian Guinea Pig farmer builds miniature apartment houses–are not only eaten in times of famine, but appear to be the first choice of most Peruvians. Rather unfortunate, there.
Peruvians eat about 65 million guinea pigs each year. The meat provides 20.5 percent protein compared to 14.5 percent for pork, 16.4 percent for mutton, and 17.5 percent for beef. Fat content also is low: 7 percent compared to 40 percent for pork and 31 percent for lamb.” Oh. And how does it taste? Reportedly like rat.
“How did I like roast cuy? To be honest, it wasn’t that great. The animal is served whole with head and legs attached. Its meat is stringy and tough, and there are lots of bones.I am glad I tried it, but it is an acquired taste. I would opt for an alpaca steak next time. I hope my friends forgive me.
Yummm. And your friends have moved on.
Now that is just wrong.
“Ahh, Senorita, do you serve fish?”
“No, Senor, but we have a wonderful rodent skewer.”
In an attempt to provide more cuy meat for the export market, Peru’s prestigious La Molina University has developed a larger “super breed” of guinea pig.
This must be some sort of Global Warming thing, where Al Gore (Pig Party, Tennessee) expects us to eat large rats while he gorges himself on the last of the beef and pork.
But I ain’t buying it.
You could make these the size of a rabbit, and I still ain’t buying it.
by pat
images:
* thoughts not static
* stanford
* dave’s travel corner
source:
http://starbulletin.com/2008/
awww the gunea pigs!!!!! Im peruvian and i personally love peruvian foo but who would eat a gunea pig!? :_( im am never eating gunea pigs they are wayyyy to cute my riend once had one as a pet aww thats just horrible…..WHO EATS RATS??
Reply
I´m peruvian too, and I have indeed eaten cuys, they are taste thou, i´ve lived several years in Puno (where the delicacyof the place has cuy) and it´s just another kind of meat, I tryed to become vegetarian, but well, couldnt because of my weight (im too skinny lol), and what I know is that cuy´s meat is the healthiest for different factors. Just dont go before a pet store before going t eat guineapig, it will destroy ur meal and u will feel like a bad person.
I do believe u did right on trying the food in Peru, since this country is one of the topest in culinary matters, our food is our number one recommended by tourists around the globe.
I´m also happy youo tryed cuy , not many turists dare to do so, you did exactly what is supposed to, u gotta do what the people in that country does.
Reply
I think I just threw up in my mouth.
Reply
gfdhb yuj
Reply
To kill an guinea pig first you must shoot it,then you cut a hole in the head to take out the blood, next on the fire you have to make sure to turn it over completely to get th juicy goodness inside . Welll i hope you enjoy it. And telll your friend to grow up.
Reply
You think you are making a point, don’t you?
Reply
I have no issue with people eating foods such as, pigs, cow, dogs, chicken, cats, rats…. but keep it in your own country!
Cuy population has exploded on the black market in the USA.
These animals often times are found in shelters, and have been found to be crossbreed with other species such as agouti & patagonian cavias.
Cavy Haven is asking all cuy eaters to please only buy meat that is legally sold in YOUR markets that are in your country… keep the illegal breeding out of the US & The UK… its it hurting the species.
My last pet cuy was 8 pounds/20 inches with severe health problems… why breed to hurt these animals…so you can have just to get a quick bite of gourmet cavy… think before you eat… and buy legally!!!
Reply