Peruvian cuisine

, , , , , ,

Sam Watkins - Cuispes & Chachapoyas Review

, , , , , ,
Sam Watkins - Cuispes & Chachapoyas Review

Read the testimony of Sam Watkins, a UK national living in Malaga, Spain, who travelled solo to Northern Peru in July 2022.

He stayed in the little-visited village of Cuispes, from where he visited Yumbilla, Cristal, Medio Cerro and Gocta waterfall.

He did a day trip to El Tigre Sarcophagi; and finished by visiting the Chachapoya citadel of Yalape (in lieu of Kuelap that was closed owing to restoration work).

The last night was spent in Chachapoyas city; and much of the transport was by mototaxi, in order to keep costs down.

, , ,

Amazon Cuisine - Juanes

, , ,
Amazon Cuisine - Juanes

Juanes is a traditional dish widely consumed throughout the Peruvian Amazon, especially the High Amazon. 

It is designed for travelling: pre-cooked food that is wrapped in a leaf, normally from the endemic Cachibou tree (Calathea lutea) - known locally as bijao - which acts as a picnic box for the contents. The leaf also infuses the food with a subtle, but distinctive flavour. 

,

Ceviche in Peru

,
Ceviche in Peru

While ceviche can be found throughout Latin America, from Mexico to Chile, and especially along its Pacific coastline, it has arguably found its finest expression in Peru, where it is the iconic national dish – uncooked, marinated fish served with camote (sweet potato) and choclo (corn on the cob).

,

Walking Tour of Central Lima

,
Walking Tour of Central Lima

Despite living in Lima, it is seldom that I actually go to the centre. Over the last 30 years, the economic, cultural and tourist focus has largely shifted to the coastal districts of San Isidro, Barranco and Miraflores, and there are few practical reasons to visit.

So the visit of my photographer friend, James Brunker, offered a great excuse to explore once again, in the company of someone with a keen eye for the details, contrasts and absurdities that central Lima offers in abundance.