Food in Ecuador
August 27, 2008 · Print This Article
Per Rob’s request for an article about food!
First off, Michelle (JM’s daughter) was right. The food in Cuenca is very good, although we have yet to really dive into the street food. That said, the food at her grandmother’s house in Gualaceo is Excellent. We visited JM’s mother “in the country” on Sunday where she and her sister played the most gracious hosts to we North Carolinians. They served lasagna, with pollo y jamon, that was out of this world and then to top it off we had a fruit salad for desert with the most amazing flavors courtesy, of many fruits that we have never seen in the states. That, along with the company, made for our best meal in Ecuador by far. Too bad that our camera, which was still partially working after a drop on day 3, decided to stop working all together during our visit. So, we have no pictures of that amazing lunch with Julia, her sister and JM’s cousin’s family.
When we were discussing Cuenca with JM he said that we wouldn’t need to cook because it is so inexpensive to eat at restaurants. He could not have been more right. There is no need to spend more than $2.00 per person on any lunch here. They have Almuerzos (same word as lunch) that means a set lunch. For anywhere between $1.25 and $2.25 one is served a bowl of soup, a plate with rice, beans and meat, a glass of fresh exotic juice and often a small desert. So, that means for less than $10 our family of 5 has a very substantial meal in the middle of the day.
We have sampled quite a few almuerzos in our week and a half and have a few to share below. Our favorite place, Govinda’s, serves vegetarian almuerzos with a bit of an Indian twist. We also really liked Grecia’s Restaurant that served an amazing sopa de polla y papas. The last time they served us mango ice cream for dessert, yum!
Moving on from the more interesting fare, we arrive at Eliot’s favorite – salchipapas and papas fritas. Salchipapas are simply French fries with a hot dog placed on top. They are served with ketchup and mayonnaise. (Finally, I understand why JM always had mayonnaise on his French fries when he lived with us in PA!) There is a picture below from the small tienda next door to our Spanish school. All that for about $0.70. You will also see Ainsley below enjoying a salchicha from around the corner from the house. A fully loaded hot dog (although Ainsley didn’t take the crushed potato chips on top?!) that included a drink for $1.00. Sounds like the Durham Bulls on Thursday night.
Some of the pictures below are from our lunch during a hike at Parque Nacional Cajas. (More on the fantastic hike later) We ate at a small restaurant just outside of the park. Cajas is well known for its 230 lakes and countless rivers and streams that result in quite the trout offering. They deep fry the trout whole, bones and all. It is then eaten skin and all. One of the most favored parts is actually the tail fin, which is crispy like a potato chip. Ainsley gave the tail fin a thumbs up and quickly claimed my trout plate as her own. Jack and I managed to pry out the cheek, which was always the delicacy when I was younger.
We have yet to eat cuy, guinea pig, but it is a must before we leave Cuenca. Look for more about that soon.
My mouth is watering for all that great flavor! I loved the photo journal, it is like Bon Apetit! Please be cautious with street food, always tempting but oh so risky. Ken would agree though the carne asada is an absolute wonder in flavor. Love you guys!
This is too funny!!! The fact that Elliot enjoys salchipapas made my day. ( i can only imagine your parents look the first time my dad asked for mayo with his fries)
I’m really glad everyone is enjoying the food. Though i noticed you didn’t mention “yapingachos” (a potato & cheese concoction). If you happen to visit with my grandmother again, feel free to suggest she make them for you. No one makes them like she does. If not, you can definitely find some with street vendors, they go great with cuy.
can’t wait for the next posting.
mm
We wish we were in Ecuador; you are adventurous travelers! Is it cold there now, I notice Ainsley wearing a sweater and Jack dressed warmly? Where is Eliot?
Love,
GG and PopPop
YOW! I am coming for lunch. i will skip the hot dog and fries, but the everything else looks muy bien.
here in durham we have received the first really heavy rains from what is left over from a tropical storm whose name escapes me. first one of these gulley washers i recall for some time.
meanwhile, maddy is scoring serious money as leilah’s babysitter, which is saving me money on clothes etc.
we had our first jr mtg at dfm on sun. ali evarts and brenna are our clerks. sleepover at the mtghouse on 9/27. ainsley, did you go last year and if so, what advice do you have for me? what was fun? what not? i am helping to plan it this year but was not there last.
jon wm is at ncssm, where he is REALLY, SUPER-DUPER happy. Sandy is very sad about his departure but happy for him at the same time. I am mostly happy for him but also sad occasionally. he will come home this wknd for labor day.
in other news, the tignor’s have a new dog after pug #3 passed following, they think, a run in w/ one of the construction trucks on their property (they are building an addition for lauri’s mom). new dog is called Taz (for tasmanian devil) and is ben’s dog. it is little and cute but not a pug. ben specifically asked that the new one be a different breed. cannot recall what kind it is but it is small, cute and loves everyone save jim, at whom it growls. go figure.
love to all of you -
rob
Yo Family!
You guys are awesome! I can’t get over this blog. The question *I* want to ask is: how do those amazing Dugan - St. Clair’s find time to do all the things they’re doing AND keep a blog?! I bow to your greatness…
I’m very impressed with your wonderful pictures, excellent descriptions, and adventurous culinary spirits. Keep it up! I’m lousy at correspondence, but I’m a glutton for others’ travel stories…
Ainsley, your presence is greatly missed in the Middle School this year, but we’re keeping your spot warm for you. We can’t wait to see ALL of you back here, but we’ll try to be patient as you enjoy your worldly wanderings.
Take care, be well, and keep on eating!
xo,
Jen