Everybody needs to eat. It is needed for the proper functioning of the body. This is something that we all know. But there are a few people who love to eat. They LOVE to eat.
They are the foodies of the world. They would go to any extent to try out new cuisines and taste different varieties of food across the world.
Paraguay
Do you think you have visited all the major countries in the world and tried every kind of food that the world has to offer?
You might want to visit Paraguay this time for an unforgettable food experience.
Located between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil, this subtropical land is a famous South American country that has a lot to offer to visitors.
Most of the time, the countries Argentina, Brazil, and Peru are the only countries that come to our mind when we think about the culinary destinations of South America. But what about other lesser-known countries?
Although it is considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world, Paraguay is not so poor when it comes to food of the country.
Paraguay food is based on a few ingredients that are staples in the country. The food is a blend of the traditional and the popular, with its roots tied to their agricultural heritage. Some of the food that you will find in the country is also capable of beating foods that are served in many popular vegas restaurants.
Best Foods To Try In Paraguay: The Lesser Known Cuisine
Descending from the blend of Spanish and Guarani cuisines, Paraguayan cuisine can be called a wholesome grouping of several comfort foods. Every item is protein-rich, be it animal protein or plant-based protein.
Here are some of the best foods to try in Paraguay that you should try when you visit the land:
1. Sopa Paraguaya
It is one of the most popular dishes in the country. This traditional meal is a must on holidays and other festive occasions.
It is made with cornmeal, local cheese, onions, and fresh eggs (the more, the better).
Traditionally cooked in a Paraguayan brick and clay oven called tatakua, the name of the dish translates to Paraguayan Soup in English. However, it is not a soup. Rather it is a unique mixture of cornbread and a cheese souffle.
2. Chipa Guasu
It can be called a savory cake made with corn. Chipa Guasu is another popular dish in the country and is most preferred as an appetizer or a side dish.
The ingredients that go into making this are fresh, tender corn, fat, milk, water, eggs, and a good amount of Paraguayan cheese.
This savory dish can often be seen at social gatherings and celebrations. Chipa Guasu is a filling corn cake that can be eaten both hot and cold.
3. Mbeju
Mbeju is a classic cheese-based dish that is made from tapioca starch or flour. It contains almidon, which is a complex carbohydrate that is found in seeds and roots.
It is one of the oldest dishes that have been popular in the country for centuries. Dry and crispy on the outside but warm and sticky on the inside, it is popular in the winter session because of its warm and filling nature that people find wholesome on colder days.
Another reason for the growing popularity of the dish is that it is gluten-free.
It is often served with milk or tea at breakfast.
4. Kiveve
Also known as Quibebe, this one is a pumpkin soup but better. It is one of the richest and the most popular semi-sweet dishes that is made from either pumpkin or squash. It is often treated as the vegetarian main dish. It tastes extremely delicious but is very high in calories.
Traditionally, it was cooked in earthen clay pots that would concentrate the flavor, making the dish ten times more flavorful.
It is made with maize flour, cheese, and andai pumpkin or squash. The color of the dish is slightly on the reddish side. This is because of the andai.
Fun fact: ‘Kiveve’ is the colloquial slang that is used to refer to a red-head or a red-haired person.
Final Words
Foodies across the world are always looking for new cuisines and a variety of foods to try. They can even go to the most adventurous and dangerous places on the planet just so that they can taste the unknown. If you are a foodie, you should try the lesser-known Paraguay food.
The food of Paraguay still holds its roots in the agricultural heritage of the land. With only a few staple ingredients, they can make magic happen. Popular foods to try in Paraguay are Sopa Paraguaya, Kiveve, Milanesa, Bori Bori, Mbeju, Chipa Guasu, and many more. The names that are mentioned above are some of the best-known foods that you should try when you are in Paraguay.
