ANDEAN YUCCA (CASSAVA).

The Andean region is one of the most important centers of crop origin and diversity in the world. A unique feature of the Andean agricultural system is a diverse group of Andean root and tuber crops.
About 17 species of root and tuber crops were domesticated in the Andean highlands, making this the largest known geographical concentration of underground crops.
The steep slopes of the Andes are prone to constant erosion, extreme fluctuation in rainfall and temperature and contain relatively poor soils. Crops grown in this environment were selected for their ability to cope with long periods of drought, freezing temperatures, and high UV irradiation.
The Andean farmers have taken advantage of natural plant adaptations to extreme environments to domesticate a unique cohort of crops, and combine their cultivation with the use of complex irrigation canals, crop rotations, inter-cropping techniques, and soil preservation practices.
Yucca, is a woody shrub that has a starchy tuberous and very fibrous root. It grows in dry rocky soils.
Yucca has a long history of beneficial use. Its extracts have anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory effects.
The most impressive health benefits of the yucca's root include its ability to boost the immune system, improve healing rates, boost heart health, optimize digestion, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent the development of diabetes, improve cognition, and aid in skin and eye care.
The yucca root is often used to replace potatoes in a wide variety of cultural dishes. It is a healthier alternative to replace the potato. It is full of dietary fiber that stimulate peristaltic motion in the bowels and keep a regular elimination of feces. Its high content of fiber also helps to reduce bloating, cramping and excessive flatulence.
Yucca has a high level of vitamin C, far more than the other edible roots. Vitamin C is the first line of defense for the immune system, stimulating the production and activity oh white blood cells. Vitamin C also acts as am antioxidant, preventing free radicals from damaging the internal organs and causing cell mutations. Vitamin c is also a key component in the production of collagen for all the blood vessels, cells, tissues, and muscles.
The high level of potassium and folate, both of which are known to stimulate blood flow in the brain and increase cognitive abilities, make the yucca's root a brain food. Stimulating pathways in the brain and increasing blood flow is good for combating cognitive disorders and keeping the body sharp well into the old age.
The crispier, creamier cousin to french fried potatoes, "fried yucca" is a side dish and snack food found all over Peru. It is served with a cheese sauce.

FRIED YUCA WITH CHEESE SAUCE (HUANCAINA).
The first step is using fresh yucca roots, trim ends and cut crosswise into 3-inch pieces, then peel. removing waxy brown skin and pinkish layer underneath. Cover the pieces with cold salted water in a pot. Par-boiling the cut-baton root, just like with potatoes, then reduce heat and simmer until yucca is tender when pierced with a wooden skewer, 15 to 20 minutes. It breaks down the tough cell structure of the root, which is even stronger than that of the potato. It also causes the surfaces and edges of the root to fray, increasing surface area and maximizing crunch factor.
When peeling and cutting the root, try to work faster because it will quickly discolor when exposed to oxygen. Peel one at a time, cut ut, and submerge the pieces underwater immediately. Once the yuca is boiled and softened, you can refrigerate for up to 3 days before frying it, or freeze it indefinitely.
Transfer yucca with a slotted spoon to several layers of paper towels to drain, then cool 5 minutes.
Heat about 1 1/2 inches oil in a 4-to-5 quart heavy pot over moderate heat until it register 350 degrees F on the thermometer.
Fry the cut-baton yucca, turning occasionally, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle the batons with salt and serve with cheese sauce aside.
Cheese sauce (Huancaina ) : 1/2 lb feta cheese broken into small pieces; 1/2 cup half-and-half; 1 1/2 tablespoons bottled aji amarillo (peruvian yellow hot sauce) puree; 1 garlic clove, peeled and smashed; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Put all the ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Put it aside. Sauce will be very thick. If thinner sauce is preferable, thin it with additional half-and-half cream. Stir before serving.

THE ANDEAN ZAPALLO.

The Andean zapallo, also known as 'cucurbita' is a genus of herbaceous vines in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, which originated in the Southern Andes.  Together with lupins and quinoa, these crops constituted the basis of a diverse Andean diet since the time of pre-Incas cultures. Several kinds of domesticated zapallo grown worldwide for their edible fruit are Andean in origin, variously known as squash, pumpkin, or gourd depending on species, variety and seeds.
Zapallo have been used in the Andes as folk remedy to treat intestinal worms and urinary ailments.
The health benefits of the Andean zapallo are numerous: it prevents cancer, improves cardiovascular health, benefits the prostate, improves the condition of the skin, is a natural anti-inflammatory, etc.
The bright orange color that the fruit possesses is owed to the high amount of carotenoids present in them. Carotenoids assist in staving off the free radicals in the body and help in preventing premature aging, cardiovascular diseases and other infections. They are also high in Lutein and Zeaxanthin which protect the eyes against free radical damage and prevent formation of cataracts and degeneration of the eye tissues.
Zapallo is a perfect food if you want to reduce weight. The nutrients belonging to the fruit cause the body to better absorb glucose and carbohydrates, which also allow the fats to be processed properly.
If you find yourself on a diet the zapallo is an ideal meal. It is formed by 90% of water, which means that it is a food with few calories and that helps hydration.

Locro is a hearty stew from the Andes, commonly found in Andean restaurants. The dish has variations from all over South America, but this quick version is the easier one for starters.
Ingredients: 1 tbsp oil, 1 onion finely chopped, 1 garlic clove finely chopped, 1 tbsp amarillo chilli paste, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 3 cups of zapallo, peeled and cut into 2.5 cm cubes, 1 cup of potatoes peeled and cubed, 1 cup of vegetable stock, 1/2 cup cream, 1/2 cup feta cheese broken, salt and freshly ground black pepper, flat-leaf parsley, chopped.
Preparation: Heat the oil in a large saucepan or casserole over low heat. Add the onion and saute for about 10 minutes, until soft, then add the garlic, chili paste and oregano and stir for a further 2-3 minutes, until the garlic has softened slightly and everything is combined.
Add the zapallo, and potatoes, cover with the vegetable stock and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat cover and simmer for 15 minutes, until the zapallo and potato are just tender and the liquid has reduced a little. Add the cream and stir to combine. Cook for a further 1-2 minutes, uncovered, to heat through. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve in shallow bowls with feta on the side, sprinkled with a little chopped parsley.

THE ANDEAN MAIZE (CHOCLO).,

The giant Andean maize (jumbo corn), also referred to as Peruvian corn or Cuzco corn (after the capital city of the Inca empire that sits in a valley between two peaks in the Andes), is very different than the one eaten in most parts of the world. Its texture is chewier and starchier and less sugary, with bulbous kernels about five times larger than the usual corn eaten in US, UK and Europe.
The Andean maize (choclo) is not genetically modified or hybridized and difficult to find outside of the Andean Highlands.  It is most commonly eaten sauteed, boiled, straight off the cob, in soups, stews, baked dishes, and as a common side to the popular "ceviche" throughout Peru and Bolivia.
The word "choclo" derives from the Quechua word "choccllo," often being used to refer to the Andean cobs of corn in general.
The Incas and the pre-Incas cultures were a rich agricultural societies that managed and farmed huge areas in the highlands of the Andes and their diet was mostly vegetarian. Much more than half of the foods growing in the world of today had their beginnings on the Andean terraces of the Andes.
The Andean maize (choclo) was the staple and has been there for over 10,000 years as a food source. Andean farmers of today still grow a colorful array of maize ranging between white, yellow, red, purple, and black, with many types having adapted to be grown in the harsh climates and terrains of the Andes. With Peru alone boasting over 50 varieties, more than anywhere else on the continent, it continue to be justifiably a major dietary staple.
Aside from containing varying amounts of water, the Andean maize is mainly composed of good carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, a fair amount of fiber and small amount of fat. Also, being a good source of antioxidant carotenoids, it was and still is the promoter of a very good eyesight.
The hair which appears at the end of the cob has also properties than can be used with medicinal purposes. It serves as remedy against various types of ailments. Its antiseptic and diuretic properties make it an ally against infections that affect the urinary tract, soothing the irritation and decreasing the bacterial growth.
A type of beverage named "corn beer" was produced in the Highlands since very ancient time and is still consumed during and after work to maintain a festive mood in the mind of the people that still endure a very challenging climate every day.

PERUVIAN CHIRIMOYA.

Chirimoya, in English also known as Custard Apples due to its complex yet stunning delicious flavor, is native to the Andean Highlands of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. The name originates from the Quechua word "chirimuya," which means "cold seeds," because the plant grows at high altitudes and the seeds also germinate at higher altitudes.
Chirimoya is an edible fruit-bearing species of the genus Annona in the pawpaw/sugar apple family, Annonaceae. It is a fairly dense, fast-growing, woody, briefly deciduous (falling off at maturity) but mostly evergreen low branched, spreading tree about 5 meters (16ft) to 9 meters (30ft) tall. Leaves are single and alternate, dark green and slightly hairy on the upper surface. The flowers are very beautiful and appear on the branches opposite to the leaves, solitary or in pairs or groups of three, and are fleshy with very strong fruit odor. The fruit can reach up to 40 cm in length and weigh up to 4 kilograms.
Chirimoya is heart-shaped with rough-textured but very thin and brilliant skin which varies from a yellow-green to a dark green. The inside pulp is white, juicy, aromatic and fleshy with a creamy custard and dark seeds that look like beans and come off easily. The taste is similar to pineapple, peach, mango, and strawberry.
Chirimoya is usually consumed fresh at a regular temperature. It can be peeled and eaten raw, taking away the seeds. To make juice from the fruit, the pulp is squeezed and then whipped with milk or water and honey.
Chirimoya is high in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that helps the body resist infection, as well as a good source of B vitamins, notably B6 (pyridoxine). The fruit also provides high potassium levels, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Chirimoya's fruit juice when it is taken on an empty stomach helps hepatic illnesses.
In the Amazonian region, the plant is being used to treat diverse ailments such as fever, pain, respiratory and skin illness, internal and external parasites, bacterial infections, hypertension, inflammation, and cancer.

ANDEAN CHARD (ACELGA)..

Acelga is translated in English as Swiss chard, strawberry spinach, sea kale, leaf beet, spinach beet, Roman kale. Its Latin name is Beta Vulgaris. Beta is the Roman (Latin) word for beets.
Swiss chard is technically referred to as Coastal Beet, because it originally thrived in salty soil found along coasts.
Acelga possesses an impressive amount of phyto-nutrients which are the source of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant properties. It is a good source of vitamin K, C, A, potassium, magnesium, dietary fiber and iron. The anti-oxidants such as carotenoid, betalain, and poliphenol prevent the free radical damage and inflammation. It also helps to maintain the level of blood sugar in the body.
Iron and copper deficiency results in anemia due to symptoms as fatigue, weakness, lack of concentration, and stomach disorders. The consumption of Acelga helps to enhance the circulation of blood and oxygenation of all the organs in the human body.
Here is the recipe for Acelga Pie. Not only it is healthy and delicious. It is also incredible practical, as one tart will last for a few days, cutting a slice and eat it day by day, either hot or cold, with a squeeze of lime. This is favorite to put in lunch boxes, or as a light dinner.

Ingredients for Crust: 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup of quinoa flour; 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature; 1/2 cup vegetable shortening; 3 egg yolks; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 1 tsp of salt; 1 tsp of sugar; 1/2 cup of iced water. For blending use 1/4 cup flour for rolling the dough.

Ingredients for filling: 4 cups fresh acelga (or swiss chard) leaves chopped; 4 cups of fresh spinach leaves chopped; 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced; 1 purple onion, peeled and diced; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 6 whole eggs; 2 tablespoon of butter; 1 tablespoon of white flour; 1/8 tsp of pepper;
pinch of nutmeg; pinch of salt.

Ingredients for the glaze: 1 beaten egg with 1 Tbsp of evaporated milk and a pinch of salt

Preparation:

Filling: Heat a skillet over medium to high heat. Add butter and let it be dissolved. Then add onions, salt and pepper. Saute the onions until they become translucent. Mix in spinach, stir, and continue to saute until the spinach is wilted and reduced. remove from heat, transfer to a strainer and place it inside a bowl and set it aside. Let it cool off and then add the parmesan cheese.

Crust: Sift the flour into a bowl. Add salt, butter, white wine vinegar, egg yolks, and mix well by hand. Add 4 tablespoon of cold water and continue to shape the dough until it forms a firm ball. If using a food processor, combine flours, butter, vegetable shortening, 1 teaspoon of salt, and sugar. Pulse the mixture until it resembles oatmeal. Add the iced water slowly (5-6 Tablespoons) and pulse until a dough forms. Wrap in plastic film or put it in a plastic bag and refrigerate for 45 minutes. The dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. (When preparing dough, add more water or flour if needed in order to obtain a firm texture that can be rolled without being too sticky or dry.) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grab a pie dish and set it aside. Transfer the crust onto a floured working surface. Dust some extra flour on the crust and the rolling pin. Working quickly, roll the pie crust until it is about the size of the pie dish, turning it over, dusting it with flour occasionally to ensure it doesn't stick onto the work surface. Transfer it onto the pie dish. Use the fingers to gentle tuck the crust inside the dish allowing the rest to drape over. Use a fork and prick the pie crust all over. Bake the crust for 15 minutes, cool off.

Pour the filling over the pie crust and flatten. make 6 small holes (1 in each direction) in the filling and gentle drop on egg into each one. Grab the rest of the pie crust and drape it over on top of the filling and gather the edges to seal the pie. Brush the glaze all over the top and prick again with a fork to let the steam be released while baking. Place it in the oven in the middle rack and bake for approximately 45-55 minutes or until the top crust is golden brown. Let cool and serve with lime wedges.

ANDEAN FILLED POTATOES, Papa Rellena..

Andean filled potatoes (Papas Rellenas), golden like the Incas, soft and warm like an embrace between two people, two nations, two continents, is a treat that Peruvian people have in their fast food list of eating habits.
The potato, from the perennial Solanum tuberosum, is the world's fourth largest food crop, following rice, wheat, and maize. There is evidence that the ancient Andean people were the first to cultivate potatoes as early as 10,000 BC in the highlands of South Eastern Peru and North Western Bolivia. The oldest archaeological findings were made in the area of Lake Titicaca, the area around Ayacucho and in the Valley of Chulca. The word "papa"is originally Quechua and simply means "tuber."
When the Europeans arrive to the Andean lands, they were the first outsiders who were benefited by the flavors of the immense variety of potatoes grown in the highlands. The Europeans carried them to the Old World and before the end of the 16th century, families of Basque sailors began to cultivate potatoes along the Biscay cast of Northern Spain. The the potatoes were introduced to Ireland in 1589 on the 40,000 acres of land near Cork. It took nearly 40 years the exodus of the potato to spread to the rest of Europe.
Eventually, farmers in Europe found potatoes easier to grow and cultivate than other staple crops, such as wheat and oats. Most importantly, it became known that potatoes contained most of the vitamins needed for sustenance, and they could be provided to nearly 10 people for each acre of cultivated land.
In the 1840s a major outbreak of a particular disease attacking the potatoes plant swept through Europe, wiping out the potato crop in many countries. The Irish working class lived largely on potatoes and they did only have a very few varieties of potato plants, and when the plant disease reached Ireland, their main staple food disappeared. This famine left many poverty-stricken families with no choice but to struggle to survive or emigrate out of Ireland. One million people left Ireland, mostly for Canada and the United States.
The mind of these folks did not work as the mind of the Andean people that developed so many varieties of potato plants (at least more than 3800 varieties) that survived at different altitude levels dryness of the soil, and exposed to different type of diseases. As wild potatoes taste bitter and contain small amount of toxins, early Andean people spent quite a bit of an effort to select the right tubers for cultivation that are more tasty and less toxic. In the course of the centuries the different varieties of the Andean potatoes developed a way to fight back against the odds of the forces of nature in order to survive in the Andean highlands and become an important staple food that today is produced and consumed in the whole world.
Using ingenuity and creativity the Andean people are the creators of the popular "papa rellena." Peruvian families have incorporated this simple recipe to their repertoires of food.

Ingredients:

10 medium white potatoes boiled
1 cup of lean ground beef
2 eggs beaten
2 boiled eggs chopped
1/4 cup raisins
1 tablespoon of Aji Panca
1 cup of purple chopped onion
5 seedless Peruvian botija olives chopped
1 tablespoon of chopped garlic
1 cup of flour
1 cup of vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon of salt for the meat
1/2 teaspoon of salt for the potatoes
1/8 teaspoon of pepper.

Preparation:

Heat a pan and place 2 tablespoon of oil, when it is very hot place the onion, garlic, salt and pepper, and fry until it turns golden in color. Add the Aji Panca and the ground beef and fry until the meat is very dry. Remove the pan from the heat and add the eggs, olives, and raisins.
Mash the potatoes until no lumps remain, add the salt and the two beaten eggs and mush them again. Divide the mixture in equal portions depending of the size of the potato. It can be small, medium or large. Divide the portion in two halves. Heap a full tablespoon of the filling in the center of the 1/2 portion. The place the 2 halves together and shape the potato forming a ball, and repeat the process until finishing the number of portions.
Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Gently roll the ball into the flower to coat and shake the excess flour, and repeat the process for each one of them. In an deep fryer, heat the oil to 375 degrees. If a saucepan is used, heat the oil and when the oil is hot fry the potato balls, a few at a time for 1-2 minutes or until they are golden brown. Serve hot.

THE POPULAR MATE DE COCA.

The coca mate or coca tea is a millenary infusion that was and still is considered a miraculous plant endowed with extraordinary virtues. It is made of coca leaves typical of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia and its presentation is usually a tea packaged in filtered food paper that retains all its property.
It is traditionally used to relieve altitude thickness. The consumption of the mate, as well as the chewing of coca leaves increases the absorption of oxygen in the blood and helps to fight the altitude symptoms, as well as helping the digestion process (especially for its carminative effect for expulsion of the gas from the digestive tract). Diarrhea can be eliminated by the infusion of of four coca leaves in a cup of boiling water. Nausea and vomiting  can be addressed with the union of 5 coca leaves and two mint leaves in a jug of boiling water.
Likewise, infusions of these leaves are very useful to gargle for sore throats, for nervous pains, headaches, as well as to relieve infections and inflammations in the eyes, including conjunctivitis.
It is important to understand that the concept of  consuming the coca leaves and the drastically change of the plant when the Americans and the Europeans extracted cocaine, are two very different things. Cocaine is not a component of the tea that is made of only from selected and crushed leaves which keep 100 % of the healthy properties and vitamins that the coca plant has. Also when ingested in its natural way, it does not produce toxicity nor does it generate dependency. Cocaine as a drug is a totally different and much more recent phenomenon, not linked to any culture but rather to the enrichment of a few through the physical, psychological and social destruction of many. It is obtained when the plant is exposed to chemicals agents that when mixed together they evolve into a fatal weapon, a type of drug harmful to the human brain. Political and economic interests penalized the sacred plant, condemning it to disappear.
The coca leaf was and still is considered a divine plant. It was ritual component in ancient Andean cultures for millennia and has played a central role in the system of beliefs, customs and knowledge, embedded in the very peculiar and original world view. We must not forget that in the Andes, people lived and still they continue living at heights of over 4,000 meters above sea level. So coca was chewed by the ancient people to stimulate the normal function of their bodies in their long crossings between mountains and still is used as a natural, abundant and economic means to combat the effects of altitude and not for the mere pleasure of doing it.
The infusion of coca leaves contains vitamins A, E, B1, B2, B3, and C (ascorbic acid), proteins, macro and micro-elements (calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, and potassium), tannins and also a total of fourteen alkaloids that are responsible for its beneficial curative action. It helps to balance the biological instability produced by fatigue and stress.
The tea infusion is recommended for daily use as a preventive and curative product. It can be taken in the mornings, afternoons, or before going to bed.

ANDEAN CORN BEER.

The Andean corn beer (Chicha de Jora) was the traditional beverage of the ancient Andean people, and
the tradition still lives on today. It is a fermented alcoholic beverage derived from the Andean Jora corn. The way in which the corn beer is made and defined change depending on the region.
Generally speaking the Andean beverage is made with Andean Jora corn, a type of malted corn from the highlands. The specific type or combination of corn used in the making of "chicha de Jora" shows where it was made. Some add quinoa to give it consistency; then it is boiled. During the boiling, the liquid extracted from the mashing process is stirred and aereated so as to prevent over boiling, and then the beverage is placed in huge earthen vessels for several days with a hard form of sugar (Chancaca) that acts as an agent helping in the fermentation process. The liquid is then left seal and unattended for a week or so. Then the beverage is sieved. This is to separate the corn from the desire chicha.
The Andean corn beer has been prepared and consumed in communities throughout the Andes for millennia. There is archaeological evidence that elite women were responsible for brewing it. The ancient Andean people placed a great significance on their beer and the brewing process became a ritual carried out by  such small group of women. The Incas continued with the tradition and used the corn beer (chicha) for their ritual purposes and consumed it in vast quantities during religious festivals. Mills in which it was probably made were found in Machu Picchu. Women also were the ones who were taught the techniques of brewing the Jora corn in feminine schools (Aclla Wasi).
The traditional way in preparing the beverage is becoming increasingly rare. Only in a small number of towns and villages in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, it is still prepared. The brewing is still very popular throughout southern Peru.
There is a town called Chincheros that lies between Cuzco and Urubamba in the Sacred Valley. The town square features a giant statue of a man in traditional dress that looks like he is tipping back a jug of the homebrew beverage.
In Cuzco area, especially in the countryside, many "chicherias" are recognizable by the red flag or bag hanging on a pole outside. Often the recipient of the Andean beer will first drip a portion of the foamy top on the ground with the phrase "Pachamama, Blessed Earth." Pachamama is Quechua for "Earth Mother." This tradition of spilling the first portion of the beverage is a toast common in the highlands explained as giving the first fruits to the Mother Earth.

PERUVIAN ARROZ CON LECHE.

Rice is not native to the Americas but was introduced to Latin America by the Europeans at an early date with the Portuguese explorers that arrived to Brazil and the Spanish introduced its cultivation to several locations in Central and South America.
The origin of rice is buried in obscurity and the depths of time. Till today, we do not know when it was first discovered and perhaps this one fact we will never come to know. It is associated with wet, humid climate, though it is not a tropical plant. Puddling the soil and turning it to mud to break it down and prevent too much water running away and transplanting rice seedlings were refined in China. Both operations became integral parts of rice farming and widely practice to this day. With the development of puddling and transplanting, rice then was introduced in many civilizations in the the Old World, and it became truly a staple food that arrived very early to America lands during the process of Europe's great Age of Exploitation of new lands.
Brazil is Latin America's biggest rice producer, being the 9th larger producer worldwide and the biggest outside Asia.
Every country in Europe and Latin America claims this lovely pudding as their own, but some historians say this was a dessert known since ancient times in the Mediterranean lands. There, they cooked the rice in goat's milk and sweetened it with honey and dates. From this part of the world it found its way to the Middle East, and the Arabs introduced it in Europe, through Spain in the Middle Ages. The Spanish people who emigrated to the Americas brought their Arab cooks and recipes, along with sugar, rice and milk, unknown to the New World. With the passage of time it was improved with the touch of the flavor called Peru, the land of the king's food.
Peruvians are, and have always been fond of everything sweet. This dessert that sweetens life, Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding), is one of our favorites. Since the time that it arrived the Rice Pudding was and still is a staple in every household, in pastry shops and restaurants. Street vendors all over the country sell this comforting and delicious dessert served always warm, especially in winter time.
To this popular recipe you can add raisins, grated coconut, dried apricots, rum, amaretto or whiskey instead of vanilla essence.

Ingredients:
1 cup of white rice
7 cups of water
1/2 cup of orange peel.
1 tin evaporated milk
1 tin sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 cinnamon stick
7 cloves.
cinnamon powder
Preparation:
Pour water into a heavy saucepan with the cinnamon stick and the cloves. Bring to a boil for about 30 minutes in medium heat. Take away the orange peel and the cloves and add the rice and bring to a boil again in slow heat with a lead on for about 15 minutes.
Take the lid off and stir the mixture and continue cooking for about 10 more minutes in slow heat or until the water in no longer visible. Add the evaporated milk without stopping the stirring bringing it to a boil again until the mixture thickens again. Then add the sweetened condensed milk continuing the stirring until it gets creamy. Stir in the vanilla essence and pour the creamy rice into personal servings containers to let it cool. Sprinkle it with cinnamon powder and eat it cold or hot.
Preparation time: 5 minutes.  Cook time: 45 minutes.  Serves: 8

In Cuzco there is a different tradition for serving this dessert. It is served accompanied by a dessert made of from the purple corn, the king of the corns. Along the way it follows an Andean tradition called dualism where people around the world are organized into two parts that come together and make a whole. In this case the two served together are the white and the purple, the Europeans and the Andean people, rice and corn. This is like how Cuzco was divided in Inca times into Hanan Cuzco, the upper half and Hurin Cuzco, the lower half of the city.

CHARQUI, DRY LLAMA MEAT.

For thousands of years dried meat has been man's travel ration of choice. it provided a nutritious non-perishable and light-weight stable for men who had to be constantly on the move. It has played an important role in the survival of the Andean highlanders. Easily transportable, nutritious and boasting a prolonged life, no wonder "Charqui" was an important subsistence resource.
During the time of the Incas, "Charqui" was a luxury food to the royal class and was made available to the common folks during ceremonial occasions and military service. "Charqui" was demanded as a form of tax to be deposited in the state storehouses along the Inca road system to provision the army.
The Andean people continued the process of drying llama meat,"Charqui." The process started with salting de-boned meat of domesticated llamas to prevent it from spoiling. The strips of meat removed form the animal were pounded between to stones to make it thinner still and exposed to the natural elements in high altitudes during the driest and coldest months between May and August. The principal purpose and outcome of the process of drying the meat was to reduce water content, which inhibited the microbial growth, decreased overall bulk and weight, and caused a proportionate increase in salt, fat, protein and ash content by weight. The technique spread all over the Americas and then spread to Europe and the name eventually became modified to "jerky." Today jerky is mass produced for the North America and overseas market, and the most popular varieties are beef, pork, and turkey. Llama "Charqui" meanwhile still remains popular in Peru and the rest of the Andean lands of South America.
"Charqui" is made by different methods in different parts of South America: for example in Bolivia, what is called Charqui is dried meat with fragments of foot and skull left, and in Ayacucho region in Peru, meat simply dried on the bone is called Charqui. Meat dried at high elevations can be done with cold temperatures alone; meat dried at lower elevations is done by smoking or salting.
Llama is an animal that has been domesticated to transport goods for more than eight or so thousands of years by the Andean people. It was considered a sacred animal and never occurred a case of raising the animal only for the purpose of consuming its wool or meat. The animal was sacrificed as an offering to the forces of the universe for the continuity of their existence in the high high lands during ceremonial dates along the year. Then its wool was used for clothing and its meat for meals after the ceremonial festivity was concluded and everybody shared the meal until it was completely consumed.
The llama's meat is high in protein and low in fat making it a much leaner meat than other animals. The flavor lies somewhere between that of lamb and beef. It is definitively considered a healthy meat option to avoid cholesterol.
The Andean cuisine is very different from normal Peruvian food in general. The different specialties offer a complete llama dish with the flavor of unique grains, andean tubers of the region, and roots.
Preserved llama's "Charqui" can be later re-hydrated through prolonged water soaking and in this way it is commonly consumed in soups and stews.
The most popular way of preparing Llama "Charqui" is in the traditional dish "Olluco with Charqui."

Ingredients:

250 grams Dry Charqui
4 cups of Ollucos (or Yellow potatoes)
1 cup Chopped purple onion
2 tablespoon Aji panca paste
2 tablespoon Aji mirasol paste
1 tablespoon Garlic chopped
1 cup of chopped fresh tomatoes
2 tablespoon White Vinegar
1/8 cup Oil (Vegetable or Canola)
2 tablespoon Parsley freshly chopped
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Pepper
1/2 Tsp Cumin


Instructions:

Re-hydrate the Charqui by soaking it in water for 24 hours. Break apart the meat by threading it to the thinest possible way and set it aside. Heat a pan on medium to high heat and add oil. When the oil is very hot fry all together the Charqui with onions, garlic, aji panca, aji mirasol. When everything is very golden in color, add the ollucos (andean potatoes), tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper, and cumin. Put a lid over the pan and let it cook in very low heat for about 30 minutes or until the ollucos are soft in texture. Serve with rice and fresh parsley.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cooking Time: 40-45 Minutes
Serving: 4

ANDEAN OREGANO.

Oregano is an aromatic herb that plays a fundamental part in Peruvian cuisine. The fresh and dried leaves are used as condiment in various staples dishes. Fresh oregano is added to salads and the dried ones to stews and soups. The dried oregano retains its flavor in a way that is more aromatic than in its fresh state.
Oregano, as a name, comes from Spanish and Latin "origanus" that is a compound word, "oros" (mountain) plus "ganos"(beauty/brightness), hence, "the beauty of the mountain."
Oregano is a perennial herbaceous plant, growing from 20-80 cm  (7.9-31.5 in) tall, in fairly dry soil, with full sun. The flowers are purple, produced in erect spikes, characterized by an opposite and aromatic leaves. Climate, season, and soil composition affect the aromatic oils present in the plant. Among chemical compounds that contribute to the flavor we find the following:
-Carvacrol that inhibits the growth of several bacteria strains.
-Thymol that has strong antiseptic action.
-Limonene that gives its fragrance to mask the bitter taste of alkaloids.
-Pinene that is highly repellant to insects.
-Ocimene that are oils with pleasant odor with anti-fungal properties.
-Caryophyllene that has an anti-inflammatory effect.
In the Andes oregano is added to soups and broths. When people make up fresh soup they add just a little oregano when they serve the dish so that its intense flavor can disperse throughout it.
Oregano is also used to cure strong stomach concerns due to the fact that in the Andean Highlands the digestive system functions different than at sea level. People place the fresh herb in a cup and let it rest for a few minutes in hot water. Once the oregano has let loose its color it is ready to be drunk and will calm stomach issues. If people do not have any water nearby then they will chew a little dried oregano and it will calm them.

THE FOOD OF TITICACA LAKE.

The vast and legendary Titicaca Lake was the heart and sacred place of the Inca and pre-Inca civilizations. It is the largest Lake in South America and the highest navigable Lake in the world.
The Titicaca Lake stretches 8,300 sq km across two countries, of which 4,966 sq km corresponds to Peru and 3,334 sq km to Bolivia, and sits at a high altitude of 3,812 m. It measures 195 km length and 65 km width and it reaches until 304m depth. It is home to natural and artificial islands.
The Peruvian site is also home to natural and artificial islands, highlighting the floating islands of the Uros, Amantani, Anapia, and Taquile Island.
The Lake Titicaca is without doubt one of the most important natural patrimonies of humanity. The importance of the Lake in Andean culture is immense: its waters have always meant a source of life for humans and has served through different times as sustenance for them.
The Lake has an important meaning in Andean mythology, according to the Legend, from its water emerged Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, sons of the sun god, founders of the Inca Empire.
All over the Lake there are incredible green mountainsides that have pre-Inca agricultural terraces. Over the centuries, these terraces have been maintained and are still in use. There are lambs, sheep, goats, cows and pigs everywhere around the Lake.
There are two main groups of descendants from ancient civilizations -Quechua  and Aymara- speaking people. Puno, Peru is the only place in the World where you can find people from the two groups living unanimously together. Above Puno towards the North, there are only Quechua-speaking people, while in the South are the Aymara-speaking group.
The people of the Titicaca Lake have created their unique culture and way of living. There are over 60 little floating villages on the Lake that the Uros people have constructed with natural resources. Using reeds (Totora, a strong aquatic plant), they build temporary houses that float atop the water surface. The tide washes over their houses at times, so new layers of reed need to be laid every two weeks for better resistance. Every village host 8 Uros families. The Uros also use the same reeds to build boats and huts.
The people of the Titicaca Lake lead a very simple life, catching food from the Lake, exchanging fish for any products they need and getting all their basic necessities from the environment.
Fish is their main staple. They do not eat any red meat. They combine the fish with potatoes, andean potatoes, and quinoa. Quinoa soup is the most common meal and trout is the primary source of food. Due to the peculiar atmospheric conditions caused by the region's high altitude, people eat lightly as food takes longer to digest than at sea level.
The Uros weave their own clothes and their textiles are beautiful. They use very bright colors and their tapestries tell the story of the floating island.
In other words, the Uros are completely self-sufficient. They do not need money as they get everything they need from the natural surroundings. The island community is based on collectivism. You simply obey the rules or you must leave the island. They do not compete against each other.

THE AGARROBO (CAROB) TREE.

The Algarrobo has been in South America since the Pleiocene Epoch that extends from 5 million to 2.5 million years before present time. It is a very common tree of Northern Peru.
The Peruvian Algarrobo's name is usually translated into English as "Carob." The Algarrobo Tree can harvest timber (heavy and durable) and produces a fruit pod with a "carob taste,"high in natural sugars.
The Peruvian Agarrobo has the form of a big legume tree, like a massive bush bean plant. It bears spines, spies of greenish-yellow flowers, and long pods filled with small brown seeds. From the pods is extracted a syrup that is called "Algarrobina" which has great demand in Peruvian gastronomy.
The Algarrobo trees are long-lived trees, and can live for over a millennium. It grows quickly and have a complex root system that allows them to absorb water at different depths and lateral roots that capture rainfall easily; this is one of the main characteristics that make them capable of surviving in extreme drought conditions. The tree is very efficient at extracting moisture from the soil where it germinates that is able to kill nearby plants by depriving them of water, as well as by shading them out by its wide rounded canopy that makes a good shade.
The Peruvian Algarrobo has a very high standard in nutrients because it grows in drier areas near the Coast. It can be found in areas where other plants do not grow. This is a great food because of its high quantity of vitamins and proteins. It is used to heal anemia and to have beautiful, glowing skin. It is also good for strengthening the lungs and the body stamina.
Algarrobo is an important component of Peruvian gastronomy. Once the Algarrobo fruit are mature the people in the Peruvian North (Piura and Lambayeque)boil the beans making them to concentrate the natural sugars. Then the mass is run through a press. The extract is filtered and is submitted to evaporation to arrive at a point which it resembles a viscous product, named "Algarrobina Syrup." The syrup is used in countless dishes, but most notably in the delicious cocktail called Algarrobina. You can also combine the syrup with different fruit juices in order to fortify them. People also add the syrup to fruit salads as a slight dressing to convert it into a super salad filled with vitamins and minerals.

PERUVIAN OLLUCO.

Olluco (Papa lisa = edible skin) comes from the high plains of the Peruvian Andes and is one of the most widely grown and economically important root crop cultivated in the highlands since ancient  times. Next to potatoes and corn it was an important staple food of the Incas.
Olluco looks like a bright colored potato, yellow in color with red or purple spots on the outside,  but is quite different. The tuber has a somewhat watery texture and not suitably for frying or baking. The shiny and smooth skin of the tuber is completely edible, and the leaf is also edible and is similar to spinach. It also comes in different shapes and sizes.
Olluco can grow in nutritionally poor soil but moist is its preference, however it tolerates drought, with lots of sunny light. It does not grow in the shade. The tubers are not formed until late in the season so a mild autumn is required for good yields. The flowers are hermaphrodite.
Olluco is the main ingredient in the classic Peruvian dish "Olluco with charqui." Charqui is the dried alpaca meat used by the Andean people in their culinary dishes . Olluco's neutral taste is the key in this dish because the charqui meaty flavor is absorved by the slimy tuber.
Olluco is very nutritious and at the same time a good source of carbohydrates. Fresh Olluco tubers are made up of 1 to 2% protein, 14% sugars and starches and 85 % moisture. The tubers are also a rich source of vitamin C, providing about 23 mg of vitamin C per 100 g servings. The fiber level content is moderate and absolutely no fat content.
Olluco was used by the Incas  and the pre-Incas cultures extensively because of its longer storage life compared to potatoes. It maintain its freshness for almost a year when stored in a dark and cool place at at ambient temperatures.
Olluco can be freeze dry and kept for a long time. When compared to the fresh tubers, the dried ones are more tasty and flavorful.

OLLUCO with CHARQUI recipe (serves 3 people):
- 3 garlic cloves smashed.
- 1 medium purpled onion chopped.
- 2 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
-1/8 cup of Panca Pepper paste.
- 3 cups of Olluco cut into julienne strips.
- 1/4 cup of water.
- 1 cup of charqui cut into julienne strips.
- salt and pepper.
Fry the garlic in hot oil, and then add the onion until it is cooked to a golden brown. Add the 1/8 cup of Panca Pepper paste to the onions and garlic. Add the Olluco and the water with salt and pepper. Mix the Olluco with the onion and garlic, then add the charqui. Mix all together and cook until the Olluco is tender. If you want to serve it with rice, cook the rice in a separate pot.

THE BORAGE PLANT (BORRAJA)

Borage is an edible and medicinal plant that is cultivated very easily and harvested practically all year round. Its beneficial effects have been known since pre-incat times.
Borage, as a food plant, stands out mainly for its contribution of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus; vitamins as beta-carotene, vitamin C, E, choline and niacin; acids as acetic, gamolenic, and lactic. Choline is an element that forms part of the complex of vitamin B, essential in the metabolism of fats.
Borage oil mainly contains essential fatty acids that have very important functions in the body. They are a type of fats that the body can not synthesize and that must be provided by food. The human body does not have the enzymes that produce double bonds (un-saturations) in the carbons of fatty acids prior to carbon n*9 (it does not use the same metabolic pathways as omega 3 and 6). Therefore, since omega 3 (fish, nuts, olive and linseed oil, wheat germ, sesame, etc) and 6 (black currant seed oil, borage oil, brussels sprouts, garlic, carrot, soy, sesame oil, etc) contain 2 and 3 double bonds prior to carbon 9 (it does not influence the balance of omega 3 and 6), our body can not synthesize 3 and 6. Our body is only able to make carbon structures with double bonds from carbon n*9, such as omega 9 (Fatty acids from carbohydrates, alcohols, and proteins). Plants do have these enzymes and for this reason vegetable oils do contain omega 3 (linolenic acid) and omega 6 (linoleic acid). From these components our human body is able to synthesize substances such as brain neurotransmitters (allow neuronal & nervous system connection), new cells (they are part of the composition of all cells), good cholesterol, natural anti-inflammatory (which produces the body itself), vasodilator and anti-thrombotic substances. A deficit of these components can produce an onset or aggravation of symptoms of hyperactivity, depression, insomnia, allergic reactions, arthritis, dermatitis, menstrual pain, etc.
Borage's way of cooking varied because the plant is used from stems to the leaves.
Leaves and flowers are used mainly for its diuretic properties. It favors the elimination of urine from the body to get rid of harmful toxins.
Borage, traditionally, has been used in case of fever, cough, and depression. Borage oil mainly contains essential fatty acids. Both, plant and oil, are source of gamma-linolenic acid.

YELLOW STICK (PALILLO, CURCUMA)

Yellow Stick (Palillo) might be the healthiest  spice of earth. The earliest written testimony of it comes from an Assyrian herbarium dating from about 600 BC. The Persians were worshipers of the sun and in honor of it they used the stick as a natural dye for their bodies. In 1285, the Italian traveler, Marco Polo relates that in one of his travels in China he discovered this vegetable and says of it: "There is a plant that has all the authentic properties of saffron, it has the smell and color, but it does not resemble at all to saffron and grows mainly in the regions of Fu-Kien. It is held in high esteem and its price is high."
The variety that grows in Peru is called "Long Curcuma," and takes the name "Yellow Palillo" and its main crop is in the Peruvian Jungle. Made by grinding the dried root of the plant, this ancient food has been used by Andean healers for centuries. In Brazil it is called "Guairaba," and in Colombia as "Guava Milk" or "Guava Monkey."
Recent studies of this variety indicates that it is rich in bisdemetoxicurcumina, an antioxidant that can fight the accumulation of proteins that are parked in the brain fighting the Alzheimer's. The intense yellow color of the stick comes from liposoluble pigments known as curcuminoids. Curcuminoids have a stronger antioxidant action than grape seed extract, vitamin C or E. Antioxidants reduce the damage that free radicals can produce to tissues, cells and DNA; and help slow down the signs of normal aging.
In its collagenous action, curcumin increases the ejection of bile by 100 percent, which corroborates its traditional use for gallstones. For the same qualities it is beneficial in alcoholism.
The Machigengas that live in the Jungle say that the Yellow Palillo is a good diuretic and fights constipation (flu). It also acts as an anti-inflamatory of the respiratory tract, joints and urinary tract. It also stimulates blood circulation.
The potential health effects of the Yellow Palillo are believed to be particularly strong when you combine it with fresh black pepper. It has an aromatic odor similar to ginger and a slightly bitter taste.
One of the most emblematic dishes of the Peruvian Jungle is the famous "Juane," infallible in the celebration of John the Baptist in the whole Peruvian Jungle. The "Juane" is the representation of the beheading of John the Baptist in the Scriptural legend. Of all the dishes stands out one called "stew" made with Peruvian cassava, Yellow Palillo, and local veggies.
Every Peruvian cook  indicates that the Yellow Stick Powder is an essential ingredient for fish, eggs, and rice. Also for dressings or to give yellow color to the food.
Let's use Yellow Palillo powder in garnish our food. Add this spice to whatever you want: vegetables, eggs, meat. You can also add it to the boiling water when making pasta, rice, soup, etc.

THE POWER OF PERUVIAN CILANTRO (CORIANDER).

The latin name of 'cilantro' (spanish translation) is 'Coriandrum Sativum' and the word 'coriander' is derived from it.
Little is known about the origins of the cilantro/coriander herb, although it is generally thought to be native to Mediterranean climate, and has been cultivated from such ancient times.
The taste and smell and pleasant fragrance of the entire plant make it one of the strongest and powerful ingredient in the Peruvian gastronomy. It is a very important crop which has a prime position as a flavoring agent. Most Peruvian people love the smell and flavor of the fresh coriander and fresh chopped leaves are widely used in many traditional dishes, especially into soups.
Coriander likes a warm, dry, light soil. From a cluster of slightly divided radical leaves branching stems rise. The leaves are scalloped, shiny, broad, and flat, arranged alternately and compunded. It grows from a central stalk attached to a taproot to a height of 12-18 inches (25-50 cms)with flowering stems branching out.
Depending on the goal of growing cilantro/coriander, a plant of the easiest culture, you should plant in full sun if you desire seeds for coriander or in partial shade if you want cilantro for culinary or medicinal needs. Sow seeds in 1/2 inch furrows after the danger of frost has past. Sow seeds every 2 weeks to assure a continuous crop of fresh leaves. The seeds are slow in germinating and it is hardy annual. Coriander seeds should be harvested in summer months as they ripen. If you leave the seeds on the plant the weight of the seeds will bend the seed pods to the ground where they become overripe and release from the plant. Once off the plant they are of very poor quality.
Coriander/cilantro has pain relieving properties and is useful for headaches, muscle pain and stiffness, arthritis and rheumatism. It is also useful in soups because of its helpful effects on the digestive tract, relieving nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion.
Coriander/cilantro has antioxidant properties and can delay or prevent food spoilage. It is also reputed to enhance circulation and relieving fluid retention. It has been used to control mild diabetes because of its insulin-like activity.
When purchasing, look for the leaves that are tender, aromatic, and very green with no yellow spots, and no evidence of wilting. If it has no aroma, it will have no flavor. To store the fresh herb, put it in a jar with water like a bunch of flowers. Cover the leaves with a plastic bag and put the whole thing in the refrigerator. Change the water every 2 days, picking out any wilted leaves when you do so.
Cilantro complements seafood, especially oily type of fish, because of its tendency of overwhelming the odor of the fish. Use it to enhance salads, beans, rice, omelets, meat, stews, and almost any dish you can imagine, but do not apply it in excess, just one tea spoon of chopped fresh leaves is more than enough to enhance flavor.

PERUVIAN BAY LEAVE (LAUREL) AND ITS HEALING SOUL.

There are many different thpes of plants whose leaves are referred to as 'bay leaves', but the true bay leaf is scientifically known as 'Laurus Nobilis'. They are characterized by woodiness, aromatic parts, and a single strand of conducting tissues continuing from the stem into the leaf.
This Peruvian Laurel is an evergreen shrub or small tree that require, in its forest habitat, a warm subtropical to tropical climate that is cool but also frost-free or with only very slight winter frosts not below -4C, and with high summer heat, rainfall, and humidity.
Peruvian Laurel is at its best when the leaves are well-drained, because of its growing in slightly acidic soils and enhance its rich organic matter. The drained laurel leaves can be stored for months.
Traditionally, the laurel leaves are picked and dried slowly under the shade away from direct sunlight in order to retain their volatile essential oils.
Pleasantly and aromatic, the thick and leathery bay-laurel leave, is one of the well-recognized peruvian culinary leaf-spices in use since the ancient pre-inca time. Just using one of them when added to the peruvian recipes, it gives off a pleasing and sweet aroma. It can be used to flavor soups and stews, but the most common use of the leaf that is for a delicious sauce made with ground beef, onion, red pepper, tomatoes, celery, garlic, carrots, and one whole laurel leaf. It must be removed from the sauce before serving it with noodles of any kind.
Laurel leaf has a very strong effect on the gastrointestinal system because of its organic compounds.
The laurel leaves are a very rich source of vitamin A, B and C. Also they are a good source of minerals like copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, zinc, and magnesium.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is one of the powerful natural anti-oxidant that help to remove harmful free radicals from the body. Ascorbic acid acts as an immune buster, wound healing, and anti-viral effects.
Folic acid is important in DNA synthesis because of its folates and when given during the preconception period, they can help prevent tube defects in the baby. But during pregnancy, the consumption should be maintained at the minimum since the chemical compounds in them may cause abortion.
Vitamin A is also a natural antioxidant and is essential for healthy visual sight. It is also required for maintaining mucous and skin health. Also it helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
B-complex groups of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid and riboflavin, help in enzyme synthesis, nervous system function, and regulating body metabolism.
Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese and copper are used by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is essential for red blood cell production and as a co-factor for cytochrome oxidase enzymes.
The red-white-red Peruvian flag contains a coat of arms that its shield is framed by one wreath of palm and laurel branches and surmounted by another.

THE ANDEAN RED PEPPERS.

The Peruvian Red Peppers are the most common high concentration and key ingredient in the Andean culinary world. Consumption of them have been known from the very early settlers of the Andean mountains, because of their faculty to promote negative energy balance from a combination of metabolic and sensory inputs. Also they were known as powerful enhancers of energy expenditure, fat and carbohydrate oxidation.
The crisp and sweet, red peppers are just the mature green peppers. They contain more than 200% of the daily vitamin C intake. Besides that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, it helps the proper absorption of iron. As a great source of vitamin B6 and folate, they help to prevent anemia. They are also known as a great supporters of healthy night vision because of its high content in vitamin A.
The capsaicin, the pungent principle in the Andean Rocoto (hot red peppers), are known as a reducers of hunger, stimulators of  thermogenesis, and alterators of the oxidation process. This is one of hottest Peruvian chili peppers. The capsaicin receptor has unique physiological functions in allowing humans to detect the oral burn, regulate core body temperature, and sense external temperature. It is established that marked individual differences exist in the sensitivity to the burn spicy flavor and to the affective interpretation of that sensation, because of its direct relation to consequences of physiological processes, independent of sensory responsiveness.
The appearance of both varieties are very similar, thicker with juicy walls, but the 'Rocoto'has dark brown seeds. No other pepper has seeds of this color nor do they have purple flowers like the 'Rocoto.' In addition, the stems of the plant look hairy which is what gives it the name 'Pubescens.' When you buy them in the market believing that it is the sugary kind, and try to taste it, your mouth is set on fire. This is why 'Rocotos' are mainly used as a condiment, just a little bit to give a kick to some dishes, but in the Andes mountains, some people are used to eat them as apples, straight from the plant. The smaller the 'Rocoto', the hotter flavor is increased. The pepper has three to four forms. The common is thick, somewhat elongated and without a point.
Botanists says that all domestic peppers originated in the Andes where they have an ancient record of use going back thousands and thousands of years. The European invaders took many products from the Andes and introduced them to the Old World where they had a huge impact. The history of the World would be very different had it not been for the Andean potato which allowed populations to boom in many places.
Botanists have described domesticated peppers as belonging to five species. Capsicum annum is the most common and represents most of the chilies known in the world, although the famous 'Tabasco' sauce slowly finding its way onto the South American markets is made from the 'Tabasco' pepper which is capsicum frutescens. The 'Habanero' pepper comes from a different species, the Capsicum chinense, that was came from the tropical lowlands of South America. The Andes is distinguished as having the delightful and fragrant Capsicum baccatum (yellow aji) as its representative and, of course, the famous 'Rocoto'(Capsicum pubescens), that has a flavor that is reminiscent of pine.
Today, in the Andes, the 'Rocoto' continues to be the most commonly consumed of peppers. Many people have a 'Rocoto' plant in their gardens. They just step out of their door and grab one or several from the bush and use them fresh.
"Stuffed Rocotos" that are a very important festival food, is a famous dish from Arequipa, in the South of the Peruvian territory. They are filled with beef, onion and ground peanut mixture, and served with a creamy potato gratin.
In Cuzco, the people talk about there being 3 kinds of 'Rocoto.' The 'Rocoto' from the garden, the common or ordinary one. The 'Rocoto' from Marca Pata, a district in Cuzco's Quispi Canchi province, that is known for being very good and very hot, growing in the upland tropics in small, family plots. And the 'Rocoto' called 'Marate'. This is the hottest of all and is a small, wild pepper of varying shape. When longish it is also called monkey penis (pinguito de mono). The common sauce named 'Llantan' (Uchu-Cuta) is made with 'Rocoto' and the indigenous herb 'Huacatay'.

PERUVIAN "BOTIJA" PURPLE OLIVES.

The olive fruit is one of the oldest foods known, and the trees are one of the longest living trees on earth growing between 200 to 2,000 years.
There are many different types of olives and they are all unique to different regions of the world, having diverse colors, shapes, and tastes, that distinguish them apart.
The most popular worldwide are: Botija - Peru;  Kalamata - Greece;  Hojiblanca and Cacerena - Spain; Nicoise - France;  Ponentine, Gaeta, Lugano, Liguria - Italy;  Sevillano - California.
During the colonization period, the greed of the newcomers trying to make themselves rich, were expressed in the cultivation of extensive olive groves with presses to make oil, and grape vineyards for producing large quantities of wine. The cultivation of Andean traditional products were disrupted in this areas and the Valleys suffered and enormous contraction creating a disruption in the Andean social and economic organization. Obviously this fact benefited the increase in products benefiting the foreigners.
Since nature always finds a way to restore equality, the products obtained from the Inca land were the best of the best around the world, making it be noticeable because of its unique size and flavor.
With a very dark purple color, and complex flavor, olives produced in the Inca land of Peru named 'botija' olives, claim a world of their own, being better than the finest olives produced anywhere in the world.
Most of the country's 'botija' olives are destined for internal market, primarily ripe, cured, and tangy, some as dried olives, and  a smaller group as green ones.
Olives trees are found in much of coastal Peru and especially in the Southern region of Tacna. The olives trees produce fruit in the months of April through July and in those months the Peruvian markets are filled with abundant supply.
Olives are distributed in large vat like containers 'bidones' in which the olives are packed in a brine to preserve them. They are generally sold by grams or kilos. The price varies according to the quality of the olive.
Peruvians like them for their taste, but also because of the nutritional value they have. They contain minerals such as calcium and iron. The high monounsaturated fat content has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
One of the commonly overlooked health benefit is that they are excellent mucus dissolvers helping to break up flem and clearing out the sinuses relieving brain fog and respiratory health. Also lowers blood cholesterol levels, beautifies the skin and hair, assists in balancing metabolism, helps preven oxidative stress, promotes the development of bones and marrow, and acts as anti-inflammatory.
The fat content of olives insulate nerve tissue, lubricate and ground the body yet are easily broken down by the liver. The olive oil in olives is a monounsaturated fat that have one double-bonded carbon and has to be consumed raw because of its structure. Never cook with it. Olives are considered the most powerful of any fruit, next to figs.
Olives are a fundamental ingredient for a range of Peruvian dishes. Peruvians use them for the 'tamale,' to make 'causa,' stuffed potatoes, 'aji de gallina, and the 'escabeche,' among others.