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🥩
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥635kcal
💪45gProtein
🌾—Carbs
🥑50gFat
🌿—Fibre
⚖️300 gServing

* Per serving · 300 g. May vary.

Guinea Pig

How to order / say it
Say it Cuy — [koo-ee]
Order I'd like the cuy, please.
Locally Quisiera el cuy, por favor.
Say locally

Roasted or fried guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish.

Why try it?

Cuy is more than just a dish; it's a cultural experience linking back to centuries of Andean tradition. Eating cuy is part of many celebrations and rites, marking it as a must-try to understand Cusco's food heritage.

How it tastes

Cuy offers a unique taste, often compared to rabbit but richer, with crispy skin and tender meat. It's usually seasoned with local herbs and spices, and often served whole, creating a memorable culinary adventure.

Origin & History — first documented: 1500

Cuy has been an integral part of Andean diet since pre-Columbian times, raised by indigenous people for food. It gained prominence as a delicacy due to its ease of raising and nutritional benefits. Over time, it became a significant element of local festivals and events.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥩 1 whole guinea pig
  • 🧂 to taste salt
  • 🧂 to taste pepper
  • 🧄 3 cloves garlic
  • 🧂 1 tsp cumin
  • 🫒 100 ml vegetable oil

Method

  1. 1 Clean and gut the guinea pig.
  2. 2 Marinate with garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper for an hour.
  3. 3 Preheat oven and roast guinea pig at 200°C until skin is crispy.
  4. 4 Serve whole with sides of choice.

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All South America recipes — Peru — Cusco — Guinea Pig
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