Hola, students! As a child, teenager and young adult, I grew up in my family’s restaurant that my immigrant grandparents started in the 1940’s. They emigrated from Greece in search of the American dream, to better their lives and that of their family. Because of that family restaurant, I have been around food my entire life, working to serve people food, cooking and preparing it, and of course, eating it! My dad always says, “I live to eat, I don’t eat to live," and I have always lived by that motto. I love food, especially trying different dishes from different cultures! Food connects people and it is incredibly important to the identity of people. Ecuador is no different. People here are proud of their food, and it is an integral part of their culture.
During my time here in Ecuador, I have tried a multitude of different foods and dishes. Each region has its own distinct cuisine and popular dish. However, there are a few that you can find anywhere in Ecuador. One of the most popular and iconic dishes is a fish soup called encebollado. Each region prepares it a bit differently, but the main ingredients remain the same, including tuna, yuca, onions, tomatoes and spices. Normally it is served with rice or chifles, which are fried plantain chips.
Another famous dish for which Ecuador is known is cuy, or roasted guinea pig.
