National Day of the Cuy (Guinea Pig)
The National Day of the Cuy (guinea pig) is celebrated on Friday, October 09, It was set up by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MINAGRE) on November 13, 2013. The second Friday of October of each yearwas set aside for its annual celebration.
This decision was made at the request of the producers, institutions that are dedicated to the raising of guinea pig since the MINAGRE has a goal to bring value, to foment, and to promote the consumption of guinea pig both nationally and internationally.
As is well known, the cuy or guinea pig is the main ingredient of many significant dishes of Peru and is widely consumed within the country. Cuy is one of the most nutritious meats on the market and contains about 20.3% protein and 3.5% fat.
Every day people come to the markets to buying guinea pig meat and include it in their daily menu for the feeding of their children. They no longer wait for it to be a festivity to be able to enjoy of this delicious meat.
Today in different places they will carry out great celebrations in honor to this small animal, places like Saylla, Tipon, Anta, Poroy, Lamay, etc., all within Cusco while other departments will celebrate as well, such as Arequipa, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, and so on.
Within these fiestas people will play games. One thing, for example, that draws much attention is a guinea pig race. Each animal has a distinctive number and runs down a track made of wood. And, like any competition, the winner has its prize.
Gastronomic fairs cannot be missed on this day. You will find, for example, baked cuy, pepián of guinea pig, guinea pig soup, among many other dishes depending on the town. On this day they also hold competitions of the best breeds of guinea pig and many are placed on sale to improve the stock of guinea pigs.
Everything is in the morning, but in the afternoon musical groups will arriving and for the evening everything is going to party. On this National Day of Cuy you should take the opportunity to try some of these dishes that day by day are winning new fans.
