Pachamanca Cooking in Peru

Pachamanca is more than just a cooking method; it is a spiritualofferring. Pachamanca comes from the Incan traditions of the Andeanregion of Peru. The word comes from the Quencha language, meaningearth (pacha) and pot (manca).

Pachamanca meals are roasted in the earth. A hole is dug and the meatand vegetables are placed into this hole dug into the earth. Hotstones are then placed on top of the food. The hole is covered up andsealed completeley for about 1 1/2 hours and a roasted meal comes out.Although this way of cooking comes from the Andean region, it hasspread throughout the country, especially for large community festivalsand large family celebrations.

Pachamanca is an offerring to Mother Earth. The food has come fromMother Earth and by cooking the food in the earth, we are offerring itback to her in thanks. Prayers in tribute to Mother Earth are oftenincluded, prior to beginning the ritualistic Pachamanca cooking. Thisway of cooking dates back to pre-historic times when the Incas stillate a vegetarian diet.

Witness this amazing sight and taste the delicious Pachamanca food on Global Tastes & Travels' Andean Discovery Culinary Tour, May 26-June 4, 2011. Email culinarytours@globaltastesinc.com for more information!!!
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  • You can always join my culinary tour scheduled for May 26, 2011 - you have plenty of time to plan for it!!!
  • A friend of mine who did the Inca Trail told me about this. He said it was delicious, and really made some kind of connection with the earth. He's pretty "out there," but I can see what he means, and I'm totally game to try it... now I just need to get to Peru!!
  • the food is generally wrapped in corn husks before being placed in the ground and yes the hot stones are enough to cook the food
  • Fascinating! But... doesn't the food get dirty with the soil? Is it in a clay pot, or something? You make it sound like it's put directly in to the soil. And where's the fire? Are the hot stones enough to cook it?

    Maybe I'll try this in my backyard!
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