Cuy - Gastro Obscura

Cuy Copy Link Facebook Twitter Reddit Flipboard Pocket

Place of Origin

Peru Ecuador Bolivia

Other Names

Cavy, Guinea Pig, Cuye

Guinea pigs are beloved pets in North America, serving as fluffy, docile household companions. They are beloved in Peru and Ecuador as well, but their role more closely resembles that of livestock: They are raised to be eaten. In the Andes, where guinea pigs originated and are known as cuy, they are a popular meat for grilling, frying, and roasting.

In the beginning, cuy were not pets at all. Guinea pigs were domesticated by indigenous people in the Andes for their meat, which is often compared to rabbit. Cuy remains a major part of the cuisine in highland regions in Peru and Ecuador, where they are farmed.

All over Peru, towns honor the importance of cuy to their cuisine. Pachamanca, a traditional cooking method involving earthen ovens, often features guinea pig meat. A mural in the main cathedral of Cusco depicts Jesus and his disciples eating guinea pig at the Last Supper. During an annual festival in the town of Churin, residents celebrate cuy by dressing the animals up in colorful costumes. And across the country, townspeople gather and eat guinea pigs in honor of folk saints as part of a celebration known as jaca tsariy.

Because of South American immigration to the United States, the consumption of cuy has spread to North America. But Americans haven’t exactly embraced the tradition. In 2015, a New Yorker called 911 on a man from Ecuador who grilled cuy in a public barbecue area. While grilling cuy is legal, the few restaurants in New York City that serve cuy often keep it off the menu or require that diners order it in advance. For now, a dish celebrated with Last Supper murals in South America has to remain clandestine in the food capital of the United States.

Sign up for our newsletter and get the best of Gastro Obscura in your inbox.

Thanks for subscribing! View all newsletters » underground cookingcookoutcontroversial cuisinefood festivalsfestivals

Where to Try It

• No Locations Yet

Written By

Ike Allen

Sources

• www.seriouseats.com/2014/10/peruvian-pachamanca-earth-oven-party-food.html
• www.atlasobscura.com/places/guinea-pig-last-supper
• www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/25/AR2007062501505.html
• pix11.com/2015/06/13/police-respond-to-man-grilling-guinea-pig-in-prospect-park/
• books.google.com/books?id=kdaPCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA262&lpg=PA262&dq=jaca+tsariy&source=bl&ots=sWnK2zBtzk&sig=mXnVgTgEqwXc664k3qIwB8lBIbA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4psifof3VAhVr_4MKHQcSANsQ6AEIVzAI#v=onepage&q=jaca%20tsariy&f=false
• www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/10/17/497978232/peruvian-farmers-chefs-yes-chefs-cash-in-on-guinea-pig-craze

Place of Origin

Peru Ecuador Bolivia

Other Names

Cavy, Guinea Pig, Cuye

Regional Foods

Gastro Obscura

Peanut Butter Fruit

Its pulp tastes just like the creamy spread.

Gastro Obscura

Picarones

The sweet potato donuts are an integral part of the Afro-Peruvian community.

Gastro Obscura

Twelve Grapes

A New Year's Eve tradition of scarfing down 12 grapes for good luck.

Gastro Obscura

Banana Passionfruit

This tangy fruit flavors everything from ice cream to cocktails.

Related Foods

Gastro Obscura

Xuixo

The original Cronut was named after a legendary acrobat's sneeze.

Gastro Obscura

Guimaras Mango Festival

Themed buffets, parades, performances, and competitions dominate this Philippines island every May.

Gastro Obscura

Spiedies

Binghamton celebrates its sandwich of marinated meat cubes at a yearly hot air balloon festival.

Gastro Obscura

Hāngi

Preparing a traditional Māori feast requires a rock pit heated by fire or hot springs. Questions or Feedback? Contact Us

Thanks for sharing!

Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders.

Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders.

Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook

Order Atlas Obscura: Wild Life Today!

Venture into nature's unseen realms with our new book Wild Life. Explore hidden ecosystems & discover incredible species. Order Now!

We'd Like You to Like Us

Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. aoc-full-screen aoc-heart-solid aoc-compass aoc-flipboard aoc-globe aoc-pocket aoc-share aoc-cancel aoc-video aoc-building aoc-clock aoc-clipboard aoc-help aoc-arrow-right aoc-arrow-left aoc-ticket aoc-place-entry aoc-facebook aoc-instagram aoc-reddit aoc-rss aoc-twitter aoc-accommodation aoc-activity-level aoc-add-a-photo aoc-add-box aoc-add-shape aoc-arrow-forward aoc-been-here aoc-chat-bubbles aoc-close aoc-expand-more aoc-expand-less aoc-forum-flag aoc-group-size aoc-heart-outline aoc-heart-solid aoc-home aoc-important aoc-knife-fork aoc-library-books aoc-link aoc-list-circle-bullets aoc-list aoc-location-add aoc-location aoc-mail aoc-map aoc-menu aoc-more-horizontal aoc-my-location aoc-near-me aoc-notifications-alert aoc-notifications-mentions aoc-notifications-muted aoc-notifications-tracking aoc-open-in-new aoc-pencil aoc-person aoc-pinned aoc-plane-takeoff aoc-plane passport-plane aoc-print aoc-reply aoc-search aoc-shuffle aoc-star aoc-subject aoc-trip-style aoc-unpinned aoc-send aoc-phone aoc-apps aoc-lock aoc-verified