Guinea Pig Food Festival Peru

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.

Guinea pig food festival peru. During the guinea pig food festival in peru which occurred on july 20th the beloved pets are dressed in native costumes pampered and loved that is until the food part comes in. 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. That s a lot of guinea pig. Also there are local festivals which are even more important.

Today this tiny animal has a special day on the list of national holidays in peru. As a part of the festival that has been around since the mid 2000s guinea pigs are dressed up as kings miners peasants traditional folk singers and also in modern costume for fashion shows. A one day festival in peru in which guinea pigs are pampered dressed up and finally eaten. In fact an estimated 65 million guinea pigs are consumed annually in peru.

What they are is a delicious delicacy best served with potatoes and salsa. Guinea pigs are cute and cuddly and eating one is like eating your. They re not pigs and they don t come from guinea. As you might have guessed guinea pigs are not beloved pets in peru.

Instead they are a traditional and important source of protein in the andes where they are known as cuy pronounced coo ee named after the sound the animal makes guinea pig meat was an important part of the pre colonial diet in peru way before the europeans introduced chicken pigs and cows to south america and it has. Peruvians don t keep them as pets. Statues dating from circa 500 bc to 500 ad that depict guinea pigs have been unearthed in archaeological digs in peru and ecuador. Guinea pig cuy is a delicacy that is very typically associated with typical peruvian cuisine but it is also eaten throughout other countries of south america such as ecuador colombia and bolivia.

There s now even an annual festival in the town of huacho where guinea pigs are dressed up and judged in various categories including fattest and best dressed there s even a fashion show. A traditional food guinea pig called cuy in peru has been served whole on special occasions since inca times.