THE 10 MOST POPULAR TYPICAL DISHES OF AREQUIPA - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

The typical dishes of Arequipa, in Peru, are characterized by their preparation, by their spicy dressings and by the variety of integrated flavors. They integrate both Andean elements originating in Peru and European elements introduced in the Colony.

The gastronomy of this department is one of the most diverse in Peru. This is largely due to the fact that this department is made up of coasts and mountains.

A curious fact is that many of the dishes that are currently traditional in this area were created to satisfy the Spanish who came to settle in Peru.

The main ingredients are meat (beef and pork), shellfish, milk, cheese, corn, potatoes, onion, tomato, coriander, parsley and, above all, ground chili.

There are various dishes, including entrees, broths, lunches, hot drinks, cold drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Arequipa cuisine also offers a variety of traditional sweets. Among these, the buñuelos stand out, made with wheat flour.

The 10 main typical dishes of Arequipa

1- Ocopa

The central ingredient of the ocopa is the boiled and sliced ​​potato.

The potatoes are spread with a sauce made of yellow hot pepper, onions, garlic, huacatay (a typical local herb), roasted peanuts, walnuts, cheese and breadcrumbs.

As accompaniments you can add boiled eggs, whole olives and lettuce leaves.

2- Arequipa adobo

The adobo is a dish that is prepared with raw meat marinated in vinegar and spices.

In Arequipa, the marinade is prepared with slices of pork, cumin, garlic, red onions, coriander and chili.

It is served with sweet potatoes or white rice. Traditionally the meat is seasoned in a clay pot which allows the flavor of the spices to be preserved.

3- Chairo

Chairo is one of the most famous soups in Arequipa. It is prepared with meat, tongue and beef tripe cut into small pieces.

This is boiled with chili powder, onions, potatoes, carrots, pepper, salt, oregano, spearmint, and oil.

You can also add grains such as peas, lima beans, beans, and corn. In some regions of Arequipa, pataca, a pork stew and corn are added to the chairo.

You can also add chalona (dried meat). All of this is accompanied by roasted corn.

In some restaurants in Arequipa a different soup is served every day. Chairo is the soup on Tuesdays.

4- Shrimp suck

The Arequipa region is made up of mountains and coasts. Chupe is a typical dish from the coast that includes fresh marine ingredients.

Shrimp chupe is a broth made from the heads and tails of shrimp. It is seasoned with hot red pepper, onions, and garlic.

Yellow potatoes, corn, boiled eggs, rice, cheese, and milk are added to the soup. This dish is typical throughout the coastal area of ​​Peru; however, its origin is Arequipa.

5- Stuffed Rocotos

Rocotos are large red peppers. To make this dish, the top of the hot pepper is cut and the inside of the fruit is cleaned.

The rocoto is filled with a meat sauce, peanuts, walnuts, boiled eggs, olives, cream cheese, milk, oil, garlic and onions.

Cover again with the top that was cut at the beginning, drizzle with oil and bake for 15 minutes or until the skin of the hot pepper is golden brown. It is served with boiled potatoes or rice.

6- Lacayote chili pepper

For the preparation of this dish, a milk broth is made with pepper, oil, garlic and hot chili powder.

The lacayote -a kind of pumpkin- is cut into thin slices and added to the broth. A good amount of cheese is also added to it.

When the cheese has melted, cut potatoes are added.

7- Cuy chactado

The cuy chactado is a traditional dish from southern Peru. It is prepared with cuy, a typical rodent of the area, and vegetables, mainly potatoes.

To begin with, the rodents are skinned and their entrails removed. Then they are fried in plenty of oil until the meat is crisp.

In some areas, a sauce of chili, pepper and garlic is added to the guinea pig before frying. For the final presentation of the dish, potatoes are boiled and served with the guinea pig meat.

8- Chicha de guiñapo

Chicha is a traditional Peruvian drink and dessert. However, the guiñapo is typical of Arequipa because it is made with a kind of corn exclusive to this area.

This dessert is prepared with corn, which is left to ferment for a couple of days. This gives it a certain alcoholic strength (between 2 and 3%).

The slightly sweet flavor of chicha de guiñapo makes it the perfect accompaniment to any food in the area.

9- Mazamorra de airampo

The mazamorra is a typical dessert of Peru, being that of airampo typical of Arequipa. This dish has the appearance of a jelly.

It is made with seeds of the airampo cactus, fresh fruits and nuts. Cornstarch is added to this mixture, which gives it solidity.

The tradition in Arequipa is to use purple corn. Airampo mazamorra is served hot with ground cinnamon.

10- Donuts

Buñuelos are a typical Arequipa dessert. These are a kind of bun made with wheat flour, eggs, and milk.

Additionally, a mixture of brown sugar and water is prepared that is heated until it forms a molasses. Once the bun is cooked, it is bathed in this mixture to give it a sweet flavor.

References

1. 10 Things to Eat in Arequipa. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from expat-chronicles.com
2. Andean Cuisine. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from peru.travel
3. Arequipa Cuisine. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from peru.travel
4. Arequipa Cuisine. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from go2peru.com
5. Arequipan Cuisine. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from wikipedia.org
6. Cuisine in Arequipa. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from peruhop.com
7. Peruvian cuisine. Retrieved on October 25, 2017, from wikipedia.org