It is the perfect dish for a chilly day in the Colombian mountains! I have also enjoyed trying a variety of juices. Colombia is known for its fruits, and I have made a list of juices that I have tried, which I continue to add to. The most common juices are maracuyá (passionfruit), mora (blackberry), lulo (mountain papaya) and guayaba (guava), but as I have traveled to different parts of Colombia, I have tried juices from rainforest plants like cupuacu, cocona, and camu camu.
The most unique dish that I have tried is cuy, or guinea pig, which is a delicacy in Pasto. I tried it once while on a hike with some co-workers, and while I found it interesting, I do not need to try it again. Bready dishes like empanadas and arepas are also common in Colombia. These have been easy foods to buy on the street if I'm feeling peckish and want a simple snack.
Trying cuy was a uniquely southern Colombian experience, and it tasted quite salty. I felt strange eating the cuy, especially because in the United States, we keep guinea pigs as pets!
Ovens are not common in every Colombian household, so most dishes are prepared on a stove in a pot, a pan or a pressure-cooker. Rice and beans are often accompanied by fried or grilled meat, along with freshly-made juice. Every Colombian household has a strainer (or three) that is used for making juice, and I have found it fascinating to learn about the process.
