They're so highly-prized that a mating pair is . See I keep my breeders as pets. Recently I had someone who raised another odd animal I eat (still haven't had cuy) tell my I was a psycopath for eating animals he raised as pets. A really interesting experiment. You have to "get right in there" and eat with your fingers, fork and knife won't do it. The Countries that Eat Them. As for all the meat-eaters out there, I struggle a little with their outrage. 2.3M Likes, 15.2K Comments. Eating Guinea Pig in Peru: Would You? - South America Backpacker )Current destination: Panama . Coriander. Behaviorally, they're very different- I know because I've had both. The eating of guinea pig remains controversial, however. They are also low in cholesterol, with only 8% fat, much leaner than other meats, making them an ideal choice for weight loss. The skin is extra salty and is fried to the point where it cracks as you cut it. I'd say it would be something poor folk would eat, that can't afford anything else. I am not arguing that cows need to stay the main source because I do realize that the overconsumption is problematic in regard to health and environmental impact. Life has so many contradictions when you search for them. At least theyre consistent in their non-meat consumption. She says the meat can be tough and stringy. Whilst I am much more open-minded about my diet now, I will confess I dont like eating things with a face. There are also suggestions included as to what to choose for each category. What follows is my experience trying to raise and eat a Guinea pig. More significantly, beyond serving as a tourist attraction, cuy has been elevated in recent years from peasant food into haute cuisine. Food and drink prohibitions. Peruvian Guinea Pig: Traditional Andean Cuy - The Spruce Eats Chicken, turkey, lean ground beef, and chuck steak or roast are animal-based proteins, which help dogs grow strong. Its vital to get your guinea pigs used to a wide range of foods when theyre young as they tend to get rather fussy when they are older! They are docile, which makes them much easier to farm then larger animals. These quantities are what you should aim for daily. As a society we're disconnected fromthe meat we eat: Chickens have only giant boneless breasts, offal is garbage, and anything that has skin or isn't spoon-tender is looked down upon. In the local language, Kichwa, the name for this epicurean oddity is cuy, supposedly an imitation of their bird-like peep. I kept the creature around, feeding and doing general maintenance for a month or so. All you need to do is sparingly rub the meat with some salt, pepper and cumin and let it sit for a few minutes until the rub is absorbed by the meat. The Ultimate Guide to Eating Guinea Pig: Could This Save the Planet? (2023) The Cuy that Tim and I ate in Cuenca was roasted on a spit (you are recommended to book at least an hour in advance to give it time to cook) and then fried off. Middle-class foodies with a taste for exotic delicacies are also ordering, photographing and blogging about guinea pig.