This post is also available in:
Português 
Español
The Cajamarca-style fried guinea pig recipe, also very popular in Moquegua, is considered one of the most typical in Peru—super delicious and highly nutritious, providing essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc.
Contenido
How to Prepare Fried Guinea Pig?
Fried guinea pig is very simple to prepare. For this, of course, you will need a whole Guinea pig, boiled potatoes, chili peppers, and garlic, creating a recipe that almost every Peruvian has likely tried at least once.
Cajamarca-Style Fried Guinea Pig Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 720 kcal
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 kg black potatoes
- 1 kg whole guinea pig
- 3 tablespoons ají panca (Peruvian red chili paste)
- 3 tablespoons ají mirasol (Peruvian yellow chili paste)
- 600 ml vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ cup potato cooking broth
- Salt
Instructions
- Wash the guinea pig thoroughly and season with salt to taste. Fry in a large skillet with very hot oil for 8 minutes, carefully flip, and fry for another 8 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reserve two tablespoons of oil. Add the minced garlic, ají panca, and ají mirasol. Mix everything well with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add the previously boiled potatoes (cooked for about 20 minutes), ½ cup of the potato cooking broth, and salt to taste. Cook for another 5 minutes until slightly creamy.
- Serve the fried guinea pig immediately with white rice, boiled potatoes, and salad. Optionally, season with a bit of lemon juice, oregano, and butter.
Benefits and Properties
Guinea pig is a rich source of lean protein and has low fat and cholesterol content, making it a healthy alternative for the diet. It also provides important nutrients like iron, B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for cardiovascular health and brain development.
Guinea pig consumption in Peru
The consumption of guinea pig in Peru was relatively low compared to other meats, with an average of less than 1 kg per capita per year; however, this consumption curve had an increase in consumption since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did You Know?
The guinea pig, also known as cuy, cobaya, or conejillo de Indias, is a domesticated rodent species native to the Andean region and considered a Natural Heritage of Peru. It has been raised since approximately 4000 BC and was a favorite food of the Incas, who also offered it to their gods.
