El Cuy, or guinea pig, is a delicacy. It is a rare and expensive food that's found throughout Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Originally eaten by indigenous groups of the Andean Highlands, Cuy has become widely available and regularly eaten since the 1960s. The cities which I was fortunate to visit that are famous for serving Cuy are Pasto, Colombia, Arequipa, Peru, and Otavalo, Ecuador.
When I tried Cuy, I wasn't sure how to go about eating it! The best way to eat Cuy is with your hands, though some people eat it with fork and knife. Your parents may tell you it's rude to eat with your hands, this is actually acceptable in this part of the world! It's a good idea to have napkins nearby since it can get a little messy. Many natives will eat every part of the Cuy, literally from head to toe! Cuy usually comes with Andean staples like corn on the cob and yellow potatoes.
