Updated on November 9th, 2022
What comes to mind when you hear the word Guinea Pig? You won’t see it on a plate but as a cute little being eating alfalfa pellets in a cage. They are linked to our childhood memories. However, rodents, including guinea pigs, are becoming more popular on American menus. This is because many people associate its flavor with chicken.
The trend began in South America, where there was high demand in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, particularly during their annual festival. Environmentalists argue that eating guinea pigs is good for the environment.
According to Matthew Miller, director of science communications, Rodents are a better alternative to beef.
They do not have the same impact on the environment as cattle animals because they require so much pasture.
What Exactly are Guinea Pigs?
Guinea pigs are a type of domestic rodent that is also known as cavy or cues in Spanish.
The original goal of domesticating these herbivorous rodents was to keep them as livestock and a source of meat.
However, they became popular as house pets in North America and Europe. Western society treats this rodent as a pet rather than a delicacy.
But remember that guinea pigs are originally South American rodents from the cavy family.
They still think of it as a treat. Even in the Western world, the flavorful taste of guinea pig has begun to spread.
How do Guinea Pigs Taste?
The taste of a Guinea pig, or Cuy as it is commonly known, is somewhere between that of a rabbit and that of a duck. If cooked properly, the meat can become rich and flavorful. Roast it over a roaring fire to get its skin crackling, which rivals pork crackling.
Some people compare the flavor to chicken, but it is not as soft. Because they are small, there is little meat on the thin bones, and they require careful nibbling.
They are flavorful, nutritious, and, most importantly, they are originally livestock animals that we can easily raise. This delectable and valuable food is becoming more popular in other parts of the world. As a result, more people are transferring them from cages to plates.
And why not? It tastes just as good as other meats, if not better, and it’s better for the environment. Guinea pigs are not only tasty, but they are also a healthier option. They are not all meatier, but they are a good source of protein.
Their meat contains more protein than beef, chicken, pork, or lamb. They’re also low in cholesterol, have only 8% fat, and are much leaner than other meats, making them an excellent choice for dieting. Guinea pigs are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin B. They are healthy, small, and inexpensive, making them excellent livestock.
They require nutrition as well as nutrition if you intend to raise them in your backyard for your consumption. Guinea Lynx explains how.
What is the Best Way to Cook Guinea Pigs?
It tastes great cooked whole, deep-fried, or grilled in various ways. Many people eat them from head to toe.
It can take you on a culinary adventure, and you have no idea what you’re missing. A Guinea pig can be roasted or baked like any other meat, and here are a few tried-and-true methods.
Cuy Chactado
This dish originated in Peru. It entails frying the entire cuy in vegetable oil in a special stone oven.
It will help if you cook it until it is crunchy and easily breaks.
Serve with potato and greens on the side.
Cuy Chactado is a specialty of Peruvian cuisine if you want to experience guinea pigs the traditional way.
Stuffed Guinea Pig
You can bake guinea pig with stuffing just like a chicken or turkey.
Place the stuffed cuy in a tin with plenty of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, and other vegetables.
It takes about 2 hours to prepare and cook an excellent Christmas meal. The One-Tin Roast Cuy is an absolute must-try.
What Recipes can you Make Using Guinea Pigs?
Around 17 million Cuyes (guinea pigs) are produced in Peru, with Cajamarca producing the most, followed by Cusco and other Andean regions.
Cusco and Arequipa are the most popular consumption regions, owing primarily to tourism. While Cusco is well-known for its baked guinea pig, Arequipa is well-known for its deep-fried guinea pig. The most popular guinea pig recipes are listed below.
Cuy al Horno
Cuy al Horno (Baked Guinea pig) is popular in the Cusco region, but it is available in almost every tourist restaurant in Peru. Remember that the fresh guinea pigs are in Cusco.
Ingredients:
- One guinea pig (Cuy)
- Huacatay
- Three pieces of garlic
- Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cumin
- 6 Potatoes
- 1 Onion
- Two tomato
- Cilantro
- Two lemons
- Chili Rellenos (optional on the side)
- Tallarin al Horno (Oven Baked Fettuccine) Optional on the side
Preparation:
Cuy: Dehair, the cuy in hot water, gut it, and thoroughly clean it; use a tweezer to remove any remaining hair, then pat it dry.
Seasoning: Combine the garlic, pepper, salt, cumin, oil, and Huacatay in a separate bowl (also known as muster wild marigold or black mint). The last ingredient may not be available in your area, but if you are in Peru, you can find it at any local market, giving the cuy a distinct flavor.
Marination: Rub the prepared seasoning all over the guinea pig’s body. Then, set it aside for a while to marinate (recommended at least 1 hour)
Potatoes Baked: Wash the potatoes thoroughly and season with salt while they are still wet, then set aside to dry.
Bake everything Together: Place the cuy and potatoes in a baking dish and bake for 1 hour. To get a crunchy experience, use butter on the pan.
Salsa: Slice and wash the onions, slice the tomatoes, add the cilantro, salt and lemon, and mix to taste.
Chactado Cuy
The guinea pig is coated in seasoned flour and deep-fried in vegetable oil until crispy; in some restaurants, chefs use a large stone to deepen the pan so we can easily break up the guinea pig. The guinea pig is then deep-fried and served with potatoes and salad, known as the Arequipa style.
Ingredients:
- 1 Guinea pig
- 1/2 k of flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cumin
- Oil
- Potatoes
- 1 Onion
- Two tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Two lemons
Preparation:
Cuy: Use hot water to depilate the guinea pig, remove the internal organs, wash them, and pat them dry.
Seasoning: Combine the pepper, salt, cumin, and oil and rub it all over the guinea pig. The guinea pig is then coated in flour and fried in hot oil until crispy (it takes about 10 minutes).
Potatoes: Baked or fried slices can be added.
Salsa: Wash and slice the onions, slice the tomatoes, add the cilantro and lemon, and season with salt to taste.
Serve the guinea pig with potatoes, salsa, and your favorite side dishes.
Cuy al Palo
Cuy al Palo, or guinea pig on a stick, is popular in Peru and is the most commonly prepared dish. Because the villagers do not have access to an oven in the countryside, they must roast in front of their “Conchas,” or wood-fired stoves. This style can be found throughout the Sacred Valley and is accessible to visitors.
Ingredients:
- One guinea pig (Cuy)
- Huacatay
- Two pieces of garlic
- Oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cumin
- 6 Potatoes
- 1 Onion
- Two tomatoes
- Cilantro
- Two lemons
- One piece of wood to use as a stick (Washed and clean)
- Chili Rellenos (optional on the side)
- Tallarin al Horno (Oven Baked Fettuccine) Optional on the side
Preparation:
Cuy: Use hot water to remove hair from the cuy, then thoroughly clean the internal organs. Please remove any remaining hair with tweezers and pat it dry.
Seasoning: Separately combine the garlic, pepper, salt, cumin, oil, and Huacatay (also known as “John Henry,” Southern Marigold, or Black Mint). The last ingredient may not be available in your area, but if you are in Peru, you can find it in any local market; this ingredient gives the cuy a distinct flavor.
Marination: Coat the guinea pig with the prepared seasoning from inside to outside. Then, please allow it to marinate for a while (at least 1 hour is recommended)
Baked Potatoes: Wash the potatoes thoroughly, sprinkle with salt while they are still wet, and set aside to dry. Then, either bake the potatoes or deep fry them in oil.
Cooking the guinea pig: Skewer the cuy and grill over a fire, turning the stick occasionally until it is crispy and ready.
Salsa: Wash and slice the tomatoes and onions, add coriander and lemon, and season with salt to taste.
The guinea pig can be served with baked potatoes, salsa, chili Rellenos, or/and baked fettuccini. It’s important to understand that we don’t usually give a whole guinea pig to one person, but we do have to share it and add side dishes like potatoes, peppers, and even tortillas.
When did People Begin to Eat Guinea Pig?
Guinea pigs do not pique the interest of many people in the United Kingdom and the United States. They most likely evoke childhood memories of our first fluffy family member. However, it wasn’t until South Americans brought guinea pigs into Europe that they became popular as pets. While there is evidence that Europeans did not commonly consume guinea pigs, this is not the case in South America.
The consumption of guinea pigs on human plates is not a new phenomenon. Archaeologists believe that guinea pigs first considered food sources around 5,000 BC! For thousands of years, these furry little rodents have graced the plates of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Guinea pigs are now known as Cuy throughout South America. This is the Kichwa translation, which comes from the guinea pigs’ high-pitched sound. Thinking about that while deciding on a menu isn’t helpful.
What is the Best Place to Eat Guinea Pig?
While we can find cooked guinea pigs throughout Ecuador and Peru, certain locations are more highly recommended than others. Locals advised me to avoid the rainforest regions and instead visit Cuy in the Andes mountain range. Because this is where guinea pigs were first consumed, they are thought to be cooked to a higher standard in these areas. Tim and I decided to include Cuy in our Ecuador itinerary and try it in Cuenca.
When finding a place to eat Cuy, it is worthwhile to do your research. I’ve heard and read many reports from people who say it tastes great and from people who say it’s chewy and fatty. The consensus appears that, regardless of your moral stance on eating guinea pigs, the cooking quality tends to be made or broken when it comes to enjoyment.
We recommend trying guinea pig at Cuenca’s ‘Tres Estrellas’ restaurant. One portion of Cuy is enough for two people and is served with potatoes, beans, and corn. The average cost of a guinea pig for two people in Ecuador is around $25. While this is more expensive than most local dishes, it is only eaten on special occasions and is considered a delicacy in these areas.
Is it Morally Wrong to Eat a Guinea Pig?
This is dependent on your point of view. Of course, vegetarians are horrified after seeing the photos of fried-up rodents on this page. While I am not a vegetarian, I understand their point, and they are, at the very least, consistent in their non-meat consumption.
We’re not sure We understand the outrage of all the meat-eaters out there. It is fair to say that we are all very disconnected from what ends on our plates in the West. Few of us are comfortable eating something cuddly, and even fewer are comfortable watching our food be slaughtered. But surely, as a meat-eater, that is absurd? If you eat meat, you must accept that it is derived from an animal. Choose your side: either all animals are important, or none are.
While guinea pigs aren’t the meatiest animal, there are a few advantages to eating this dish over other types of meat. Cuy is high in protein and low in cholesterol, making it a healthier option than many other types of meat.
The Verdict on Guinea Pig Eating!
We understand that it is not for everyone, but we believe that putting guinea pigs on the menu has only positive consequences. Not only is the meat nutritious, but farming guinea pigs over cattle has significant environmental benefits. We are currently causing enormous damage to our planet by feeding ourselves, which we could easily reduce through lifestyle changes. It appears to me that eating guinea pigs may help us reduce not only our carbon footprint but also become more accepting of our neighbors.
Why are Guinea Pigs Referred to as Cuy in South America?
Guinea pigs are now known as Cuy throughout South America. This is the Kichwa translation, which comes from the guinea pigs’ high-pitched sound. Thinking about that while deciding on a menu isn’t helpful.
Do Guinea Pigs Get Eaten in Spain?
The animals, known as cues in Spanish, are usually cooked whole, often grilled and occasionally deep-fried. Many diners consume every last morsel, from head to toe. However, eating guinea pigs may provide more benefits than just bragging rights. “Unlike cattle, guinea pigs do not require land.”
Is it Common to See Guinea Pigs in Europe?
They were domesticated as livestock for meat production and are still eaten in some parts of the world. Since its introduction to Europe and North America by European traders in the 16th century, the guinea pig has enjoyed widespread popularity as a pet in Western society.
When was the First Time Guinea Pigs were Eaten?
Archaeologists believe that guinea pigs first considered food sources around 5,000 BC! For thousands of years, these furry little rodents have graced the plates of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Those from the United Kingdom and the United States are more accustomed to seeing guinea pigs as pets rather than food!
Conclusion
A Guinea pig may be small and unassuming, but it provides far more flavor and nutrition than other meats. It may appear a little daring to some, but it is a great alternative considering the environment.
Switching to guinea pigs will reduce our carbon footprint and make us more accepting. We hope you liked this article and it has helped you know about cooking guinea pigs.