Guinea Pig Food Peru

Guinea pigs are herbivores and thus need fruits vegetables and grains in their diet.

Guinea pig food peru. Believe it or not guinea pigs originated in the andean region colombia ecuador bolivia and peru and were originally raised specifically for eating. Guinea pigs are herbivorous animals which means that they only eat plant material in order to gain all of the nutrients that they need to survive. It s fried or roasted guinea pig and it s a peruvian delicacy. Traditional baked guinea pig though not all visitors to peru are keen to eat it this way jaime pesaque is the owner of mayta a high end restaurant in upmarket lima.

This was the traditional peruvian way to serve guinea pig. It wasn t until the spanish came and started sending guinea pigs to europe that the furry creatures were treated as pets. Peruvians don t keep them as pets. A traditional food guinea pig called cuy in peru has been served whole on special occasions since inca times.

The guinea pig was first domesticated as early as 5000 bc for food by tribes in the andean region of south america the present day southern part of colombia ecuador peru and bolivia some thousands of years after the domestication of the south american camelids. History of guinea pigs. They re not pigs and they don t come from guinea. The peruvian dish rocotto relleno at tradicion arequipena arequipa peru.

What they are is a delicious delicacy best served with potatoes and salsa. Statues dating from circa 500 bc to 500 ad that depict guinea pigs have been unearthed in archaeological digs in peru and ecuador. The peruvian guinea pig dish cuy is mostly served on special occasions rather than as a meal eaten regularly but is readily available for adventurous tourists to try in restaurants or at different food stalls. Carbohydrates and fibres are the basis of their diet.

Top chefs in peru. Peruvian guinea pig diet. Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly and eating one is like eating your pet dog. But if eating guinea pig is definitely not your thing there are many other traditional andean foods and dishes to try such as chupe de maní peanut and potato soup humitas fresh corn tamales quinoa and kiwicha an edible flowering plant and of course a huge variety of potatoes.

He buys about 200 organically. The growing popularity of guinea pig meat in high end restaurants in peru is helping to usher in the return of a traditional and environmentally friendly industry led by women.