We thought we´d give you a few of the culinary highlights of our time in Argentina...
Steak: Parrillas (grill houses) are everywhere and the servings of meat are usually huge! We really liked the bife de chorizo (sirloin), bife de lomo (tenderloin) and the chorizo sausages but we weren´t too keen on trying the blood sausages, intestines and other interesting things on offer at parrillas!
Llama: More common in northern Argentina (and Bolivia). We tried a Llama stew for lunch in Humahuaca and were pleasantly surprised!
Empanadas: A small pastry turnover that is stuffed (usually with beef, chicken, or cheese) and then fried or baked...great for a cheap and yum lunch! Our favourite empanadas were at Casa de la Empanada in Cafayate, where they had 12 different flavours!
Humitas: A corn dish where freshly ground corn, cheese and some spices are wrapped in a corn husk and boiled or steamed. These were great once you added some salt!
Dulche de leche: A thick milky caramel spread (it literally means 'candy of milk') which we enjoyed having on bread for breakfast most days. The Argentinians seem to love it and put it in lots of their desserts.
Icecream: The Argentinians love their icecream, with helados (icecream shops) all over every town and with so many flavours on offer! Our favourite flavour was dulche de leche with chocolate brownie...amazing!
Mate: A grasslike herb drink (similar to tea) which is sipped from a mate cup (traditionally made from gourd) through a metal straw/filter (called a bombilla). The mate cup is filled with the dried mate leaves and hot water and when drunk/emptied it is refilled with hot water many times before losing it´s flavour. Mate is usually shared amongst family and friends (not a drink you can just order at a cafe!) but we were fortunate to meet an Argentinian who shared his mate with us...it also had a bit of mint with the mate leaves and was pretty tasty!
Wine: Argentina produces some great wines (especially Malbec and Torrontes) and they´re really cheap too...you can enjoy a good bottle of Malbec with dinner for only about NZ$10!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
No comments:
Post a Comment