A Baby Cuy
A Cuy is pretty much a large hamster! Its most similar to a guinea pig, a pet in many Western homes. Below the equator though, this south american animal is table food. They are actually a profitable food source there, beating out more traditional forms of animals such as cows and pigs. The main reasons, and we guess they make sense, are that cuy actually reproduce more quickly and require much less room than normal livestock.
The cuy is so enriched in the South American culture that it was seen in a famous painting of The Last Supper with Jesus and his twelve disciples dining on .. you guessed it! CUY! Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia are the main countries that enjoy this guy as a major part of their diets. They are baked and usually served with a few sides, generally potatoes.
Apparently in some cities, cuy is served roasted on a skewer and standing on all fours! Its hard to think of your pet hamster being served up for dinner, but in many places this south american animal is quite the dish.
Could you eat this South American animal ? Apparently the meat tastes a little greasy, but good, according to Westerners that have tried it! Mmmmm… roasted cuy!