Adventures in Eating

Last weekend, my host sister Ana Lu (who was in town from the weekend from Lima) announced that she had a craving for anticuchos. Upon hearing this, the rest of my family jumped at her suggestion and announced that we would all go in caravan for anitcuchos. It was 11:00pm at night, and I had already eaten dinner, but because I had never tried anticuchos before, I decided to join the fam.

On our way over to the restuarant, I asked Ana Lu what exactly anticuchos was made from. Before she could answer me, my host mom interrupted and said in Spanish, "Meghan, you're going to love anticuchos. It's the heart of Arequipa." And with that, both of my host sisters started giggling. "It is?" I asked, surprised. "But what's it made of?" My host mom said, "All good things. Don't worry. It's a food that's close to my heart." Again, spontaneous giggling. "Okay," I said, suddenly nervous but not sure why.

When we arrived and the food was brought out to us, my host family asked what I thought of anticuchos.



"It's good." I assured them while I chewed the tough meat in my mouth.
"Do you really think so?" Mama Charito asked. "Yes," I answered.

It was at that point that Ana Lu leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Meghan, anitcuchos is made of cow heart." I am pretty sure I swalled. Audibly.

Well, I can cross cow's heart off my list of Peruvian experiences.

Cuy (cooked guinea pig) is next.



I'll try anything once : )