Cuy bien.

Posted by gail in Animal, Food & Drinks, Travel & Places on June 27, 2007 at 10:40 am


guinea

CBS reports on the annual Peruvian guinea pig (cuy) festival — and it’s not just about running on a little wheel or navigating mazes; it’s about who tastes best "grilled, fried, [or] baked":


Peru’s celebration of the guinea pig included contests for the biggest, the best-dressed _ and the tastiest. The second annual festival of the cuy, as guinea pigs are known in the Andes, brought brass bands into the streets of highland Churin on Sunday to celebrate all things related to the furry rodents.

"Zero cholesterol! Protein for anemia!" Teresa Figeroa shouted from under her woven, flower-lined hat.

For 20 soles ($7), she sold plates of guinea pig fried, grilled, baked _ even cuy au vin _ with generous helpings of Andean potatoes and large Peruvian corn called choclo.

Image from Weird News Today


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COMMENT

12 comments to "Cuy bien."

  1. Jeff
    June 27th, 2007 at 11:49 am

    In addition, Cuy also tastes digusting! Like an extra tasteless rabbit. If you are ever in Puru, do not order cuy baked. It's as if they kill it and toss it in the over...hair, head and all....

  2. quinnn
    June 27th, 2007 at 12:21 pm

    blech jeff. I think I'll pass on my lunch now :D

  3. gail
    June 27th, 2007 at 12:30 pm

    Jeff should charge for services rendered as a diet facilitator.

  4. Ali S.
    June 27th, 2007 at 12:39 pm

    Hmmm...they could have used some spices...jeez.

  5. Jason
    June 27th, 2007 at 12:42 pm

    Well, I live and work in Peru (for the past 2 years), and I can say that I love cuy. As with any meat, it depends on how it's cooked and the kind of spices you like. BBQ cuy is one of my favorites.

    You will get this everywhere...in some place they will be eating what in another place is considered a "pet" or "cute animal". Cuy isn't for everyone...just as deer, snake, alligator, possum, or turtle may not be for everyone in the US, even though it's eaten there.

    If you are a bit adventurous and find yourself in Lima...I suggest getting the cuy at Astrid y Gaston...it's a fillet of the cuy meat, and has an amazing taste.

  6. Chad
    June 27th, 2007 at 10:34 pm

    whew! good thing they aren't eating squirrels!

  7. Sayna
    June 28th, 2007 at 2:02 am

    They also eat it in Ecuador, where I grew up. As a running joke amongst my friends and I, the cuy we tried had a distinctly KFC-ishness to it, which is what KFC really stands for: Kentucky Fried Cuy.

    Honestly, the smell is quite similar (at least, the one I had)...

  8. Denise
    July 14th, 2007 at 10:31 pm

    Loved the KFC comment--I had cuy in Otavalo, and it was tough and gamey, just like squirrel here in Kentucky !!!!!!!!! Kinda looked like a small squirrel too.

  9. Kristy
    August 1st, 2007 at 10:37 pm

    Am i the only one disgusted here by the idea of eating a flesh-popsicle??? Here's a hint: if it doesnt taste any good, maybe you shouldnt be eating it!!! Im confussed as to how people could look at that picture of an animal burning to death and think...mmmm...tasty!?

  10. gail
    August 1st, 2007 at 10:45 pm

    I think it was already dead before the lady cooked it, Kristy.

  11. Kristy
    August 1st, 2007 at 11:27 pm

    Your right, gail. They were probably killed far more inhumanely than that. Silly me.
    P.S Debating on "how" they were killed beforehand personally is irrelevant in swaying my feelings on the matter. It's still disturbing. Full stop.

  12. gail
    August 2nd, 2007 at 7:13 am

    Kristy, I wasn't trying to argue you into liking the idea of eating meat. I was just responding to your "burning to death" comment, which was obviously incorrect. Lots of societies kill animals and eat meat, and you have every right to judge them on that basis according to your personal beliefs.


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