Kind of greasy .. but not bad

Cuy ( or guinea pig ) is a type of South American Animal routinely served up in all types of restaurants and roadside stands. It can be tough for foreigners to get past the idea that they may be eating what seems like someone’s pet. But once you actually do start to dig in and eat a cuy, they actually aren’t that bad.

I had my first one the other night in a restaurant in Ecuador. The meat was good – a little greasy – but not bad at all, really. The reactions at the table were mixed. Many people LOVED the taste of it and didn’t think twice about digging in. Several others, though, were more reserved.

Apparently, this South American animal is enjoyed throughout the continent. Sooooo, what’s your vote ?
Given the right social situation, and cultural considerations .. would you eat a cuy ?

Galapagos Giant Tortoise

The Galapagos Giant Tortoise is a South American animal that only lives on the seven islands off of the west coast of Ecuador — the Galapagos Islands. They are absolutely enormous, with full-grown adults tortoises weighing over 300 kilograms. That’s about 660 pounds !

One of the most intriguing things about them is that they outlive humans! They can live to be 100 to 150 years old. So whenever you want to visit your favorite tortoise in the Galapagos, he or she will probably still be there.

As you would expect, they are very slow moving, making their way along at about .3 km/h .. ( .18 miles per hour ). They often bask in the sun to warm their bodies ( they are cold – blooded ) and then become more active the rest of the day.

For one reason or another, probably because of their slow speed and ample supply of meat, the tortoises have been a target.
Other South American animals and humans are both predators. Major conservation efforts have kept the species from complete extinction and now the Galapagos giant tortoise is completely protected by law.

When you visit Ecuador in South America – be sure to stop by the Galapagos island to see this amazing creature!

Red Piranha

This south american animal lives in most rivers below the Equator. Its got VERY sharp teeth and a large appetite for meat!
There are many species of this fish — so many, in fact, that biologists aren’t exactly sure how diverse they are. Typically about 15 to 25 centimeters in length, each piranha is small but sports blade-like, tightly packed teeth.

Not to fear, though. The reputation of this south american animal far exceeds its actual danger. They are more or less like normal fish with very large choppers! They tend to swim in schools for protection from their predators. The myths about this south american animal consuming humans and cattle in swarming attacks — in mere seconds — are only myths.
The “red piranha” is the species that seems to get most of the bad press, apparently for its menacing look and aggressive behaviours.

This aggression, though is mainly with each other. They have been known to not let weaker fish among their groups survive. If they aren’t fed enough, they will actually start to attack and feed on each other! They do occasionally injure swimmers in lakes and rivers in South America, but its usually just a single bite — often a mistake by the fish — that harms the person.

So don’t let this South American animal distract you from a great vacation South of the Equator!

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!