18 Weirdest Foods You Can Eat in Latin America
The food in Latin America is delicious—and sometimes weird. From its indiginous roots to recipes that have been introduced by immigrants from around the world, it certainly has a lot to offer.
Today, we’ll explore the unique food and beverages that define Latin American culture. If you’re a Latin American foodie, this post is perfect for you. When you’re traveling through Latin America, it’s good to try new things including traditional food, even if it’s a little strange. Let’s check out the menu!
Weird Food in Latin America
Weird food in Latin America may be considered the worst food for some people. For the adventurous eater, it’s a great opportunity to try something new and memorable! Let’s find out about 18 of the strangest food Latin America has to offer.
1. Buchada
From the northeast of Brazil, Buchada is goat meat that is not for the faint of heart. The goat’s stomach is stuffed with whatever innards are available, such as intestines, liver, and lungs. It is well seasoned and considered a delicacy by many in Brazil.
It takes a bit of courage to try, but for many buchada is a must in Brazil. The variety of meats makes this dish one of a kind. This weird food in Latin America is a favorite of travelers and locals alike.
2. Chuños
This food in Latin America is found In the arid highlands of Bolivia, where the vegetation is dry and potatoes play a key role in nutrition.
Many people make chuños by letting the dish freeze in sub-zero temperatures and then thaw in the sun, freeze again at night and then thaw once more. Finally, they stomp the potatoes and then peel them to create this Andean food.
What makes this dish strange is how they prepare it but if you love potatoes, it’s worth a try.
3. Curanto en Hoyo
The dish originated on Chiloé Island. It’s made with an indigenous Chilean cooking method that is quite a spectacle.
People dig a hole in the ground and line it with stones that are heated in a bonfire. The hole is then covered with rhubarb leaves or a large nalcas. One by one, layers of vegetables and fish are placed inside.
The layers are separated with more leaves and then earth and sand is pressed on top to finish it off. After several hours, you dig up the food and serve it hot.
4. Escamoles
Escamoles are edible ant larvae and pupae. This interesting Latin American food is also known as Mexican caviar. It’s a creamy and nutty delicacy that people in Mexico love to eat with tacos.
This ancient Mexican dish is actually ant larvae. Escamoles are harvested from plants. Many people believe that the Aztecs ate them. When you go to Mexico, try them with tacos, in omelets, or with tortilla chips and guacamole.
5. Sopa de mondongo
Sopa de mondongo is found in different parts of Latin America, but it’s most popular in Colombia. It’s a thick chunky soup full of pork, sausage, and beef tripe.
This fiery stew is served with rice and avocado. What makes this dish weird is the tripe. If you’re a fan, try this soup in Bogotá.
6. Chapulines
This traditional Oaxacan snack is packed with protein and nutrients. It’s low in fat and grown sustainably. Chapulines are grasshoppers fried in chili, garlic, lime, and salt.
Eating grasshoppers might be a bit out there, but when in Mexico, why not try grasshoppers for the first time? It’s a unique style of “fast food” that’s served on the streets of Oaxaca.
7. Coração de Frango
People in Brazil love to eat chicken hearts at barbecues, lunches, or as snacks. These morsels are seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and red wine and often eaten with rice and beans. Try these corações de frango at any churrascaria in Brazil.
8. Cuy
Cuy is roasted guinea pig. This is a controversial dish for those who grew up with the furry creatures as beloved pets. In Peru (and Ecuador and Colombia), guinea pigs are a prime choice for a special dinner.
Sometimes, the meat is served off the bone and could be easily mistaken for richly spiced rabbit. However, the true Peruvian way consists of eating the whole thing, barbecued and served on a spit. Try cuy in the Andean capital of Cusco.
9. Morcilla
Morcilla is a sausage from Argentina made from cooked pig’s blood. They add paprika, onion, garlic, nuts, and breadcrumbs. Just like many peculiar foods, people tend to either love or hate it.
10. Moripán
Moripan is another odd dish from Argentina. It’s a hot dog prepared with a blood sausage wrapped in cow intestine. The intestines can be hard to chew, but it’s certainly a one-of-a-kind experience.
11. Chocolate Con Queso
This is hot chocolate with cheese. It’s a sort of fondue with molten chocolate and oozing cheese in the same pot. Many people love it and call it a beautiful mistake.
12. Tortillas Azules
Blue corn tortillas are common in Mexico, both in street food and restaurants. These tortillas are deliciosas, and I highly recommend them. Tortillas are my favorite food in Latin America. You can put anything in tortillas, add salsa and have an amazing meal.
13. Alpaca
Yes, some people eat alpaca meat. It’s fairly normal in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. This dish is mildly flavored, doesn’t contain much fat, and often prepared with beef and pork.
14. Lengua de res
Beef tongue is a common delicacy in Mexican cuisine that’s eaten with tacos and burritos. Tongue is also found in Puerto Rican cuisine and in parts of the U.S.
15. Huitlacoche
Huitlacoche is another Aztec dish. It’s a type of fungi that grows on corn. You might be eating this fungi in your enchiladas or tacos and not even know it!
16. Erizo de mar
Sea urchins are actually popular on the streets of Chile as a snack. You can also find them in restaurants and add them to your favorite dishes.
17. Ñachi
Ñachi is another traditional Chilean food prepared by the Mapuche tribe. The meat is from a calf or a lamb. They place the blood in a recipient and add lemon and seasonings. Some people add onion and peppers and eat ñachi with bread.
18. Larvas de coco
Coconut grubs are larvae that live in palm trees in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador. They are marinated in wild orange juice and then grilled. They’re crunchy and full of fat.
Learn Spanish with Food
I’m sure these weird foods will make you step out of your comfort zone the next time you travel. Using food to learn Spanish is an excellent way to make the process fun! Traveling is a great way to expand our experiences and do something new.
Whether you plan to travel or not, learning Spanish is a brilliant idea. In the United States alone, approximately 53 million people speak Spanish. (Did you know that the U.S. is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world?) According to CNN, there are 41 million native Spanish speakers in the U.S. who speak Spanish in their homes. Sign up for a free class at Homeschool Spanish Academy and advance your career and personal goals to a new level. There’s no better time than now!
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