Going to travel around the world, many tourists are interested in local dishes and their special features. We invite you to learn about the national cuisine of Paraguay . It was formed under the influence of Indian traditions with the addition of European customs brought here by settlers.
Features of cooking in the country
Locals in their recipes quite often use sour-milk products, peanuts, corn, maize, cassava, beans. An important component in everyday dishes is traditional bread - chip (Chipa) and sopa (Sopa). Aborigines and meat (beef and pork), cooked on open fire or coals, are preferred, with spices practically not added.
Depending on the natural and climatic features of the country's region, there are clear divisions of culinary customs. Chaco is dominated by Indian traditions, which use beans and grains, as well as game. In the south-eastern part of the country there is a European influence, here vegetables, greens and milk are used.
Traditional Cuisine in Paraguay
Many dishes in the country are cooked only on certain days, for example, on Friday, on holidays and here Asado is served to the table - it is beef meat that is baked on charcoal without spices and salt. A barbecue area in Paraguay is available in every home or restaurant. Specific local dish is baked guts.
Potatoes in the state are almost not grown, so it is rarely used. Also locals love pancakes with meat, all sorts of sandwiches, salad with eggs (similar to pizza). And the most popular dishes in Paraguay are:
- Milanesa is a quick snack in the form of a chicken schnitzel, pork, beef or veal, breaded in breadcrumbs and eggs and fried in oil;
- Locro - porridge, cooked from corn stew of Masamorra variety;
- Mbaipy-soi - a maize pudding with meat, served hot;
- Soo-kui (Soo kui) - meatballs made from rice and meat;
- Chipa guaz (Chipa guaz) - corn kernels, which are fried in beef fat, and then baked in a sauce of cheese, tomatoes and onions;
- paiagua-maska (Payagua mascada) - a cake with cumin, garlic, onions and meat, fried in oil;
- pastel de cassava (Pasteles de mandioca) - a dish of minced meat, cassava, eggs, corn flour, all fried in fat;
- Vori-vori are light meatballs from tomatoes, fried onions, flour and egg yolks, cooked in chicken broth.
The first dishes, such as soup or borsch, are not cooked here. Paraguay soup (sopa Paraguaya) is called a specific pie from onions, cheese, milk and corn flour. The most original and delicious dishes are:
- soyo-soi (sooyo sopy) - thick soup with rice or noodles;
- Gazpacho (Gazpacho) - a soup made from various vegetables, mashed tomatoes and cucumbers, is served in a cold form,
- bori-bori (Boribori) - meat broth with the addition of cheese dumplings;
- pira-caldo (Pira caldo) - soup, made from river fish, onion, sweet pepper, with the addition of spices.
National desserts
Local people are very fond of all kinds of sweets and prepare them in various ways. In Paraguay, the national cuisine includes desserts from fruits and candied fruits, used in buns, cookies and cakes. Being in the country, it is worth trying:
- palmitos (Palmitos) - prepared from sweet palm wood;
- Cosereva (Cosereva) - a dish of fruit juice, water, black treacle and orange peel Pintonas;
- Empanadas - baked or roasted pies made from fresh or yeast dough, stuffed with vegetables and meat;
- dulce de leche is a dessert made from sugar and milk, like boiled condensed milk, which is used as a filling or spread for bakery products.
Popular drinks in Paraguay
Local residents often drink mate, replacing coffee and tea. It is a drink that has many ways of preparation and has a tonic effect. It is made from dried twigs and leaves of the yerba mate tree, heated on charcoal. Aborigines everywhere carry it with them in special vessels - kalabasas, and drink through a straw - a bomb.
If you want to quench your thirst or just drink an unusual drink while in Paraguay, then definitely try:
- Terére is a mate with the addition of cold water, verbena of lemon, peppermint, medicinal herbs, horsetail or citrus juice. Drink from a special bowl - guampa (guampa), which is made from cut from both sides of the cow's horn.
- Mosto (Msto) - a refreshing drink made from fruit juices or sugar cane, with the addition of water.
- Fresh is a freshly squeezed juice that is drunk always and everywhere, and the prices for them are very low.
If you want to taste alcoholic beverages, then, besides traditional wine and beer, it is also worth trying:
- Chacha (Chacha) - a local brew, prepared from honey and sugar;
- canyu (Cana) - is prepared on the basis of sugar cane with the addition of Stevia juice.
Paraguayan cognac, for example, Tres Leones and Aristocrata, to your liking is very similar to the Armenian. The country produces quality rum and liqueur.
Interesting facts about Paraguayan cuisine
There are several traditions in the country, connected with local peculiarities:
- oranges for weight can only be purchased in a store, in the market they are sold with bags;
- fruits grow everywhere, so death from hunger does not threaten anyone;
- in the country are forbidden GMOs, therefore all products of the highest quality;
- along the fences, villagers plant pineapples to protect themselves from thieves;
- in many restaurants one glass of strong drink is served free of charge;
- in expensive establishments always leave a tip at a rate of 10% from the sum, and in cafe - at the discretion of the client;
- in the capital of the country there is a restaurant Mburicao Restaurante, in which visitors can learn how to prepare Paraguayan dishes.
Being in the wonderful country of Paraguay, be sure to try the national cuisine, so that the impressions of the country were complete.