We have had some great time with the Castro family lately - Robinson, Elita, Jimmy, Tito and Elsa. Last Tuesday we went over to their house for a very special lunch (lunch is usually what one is invited to - dinner is small and insignificant) - a fantastic dish called Pachamanca. We got there in the morning to shop with them for the ingredients - beef, chicken, pork, huacatay (native herb), potatoes, sweet potatoes, yucca, corn, habas, and a bunch of other vegetables. This is how it starts:
Originally they were going to cook it on top of this clay oven, but there were no coals to be found, so they used the stove instead.
It's actually a meal from the mountains, usually cooked for a crowd in a big hole dug out of the ground. But as ground for such a hole is in short supply in most of Lima, the pot had to do. They stuffed it to the gills, having to eventually tie it shut as it cooked.
In the meantime, Robin and I had the chance to play some guitar
...enjoy a pisco-based aperitivo...
...while Noah made sure the cat had enough to eat.
After about an hour, it was ready to go. We unwrapped everything, separated each ingredient, and feasted. Incredible! All the flavors mix together and the vegetables steam perfectly.
It's a work of art, and half the fun was getting to see how this masterpiece was put together. Perhaps someday we will attempt this famous Peruvian specialty - Pachamanca.
2 comments:
Hey there!
Nice to see that you had Pachamanca. I already had it twice here in villages of the mountains. Also made in the original way. Dug into the ground. But usually the ingredients there don't have such a variety. Because they can't afford or buy everything. As I know it its just pork with potatoes. But if it's done properly, as you say, it's really delicious.
Many Easter-greetings from
Wolfie
Michael and Laura,
I've enjoyed reading your blog and seeing what you all are up to. Susan--in the picture--is my husband's cousin. Small world! Grace and peace to you all!
Love,
Sarah Jo
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