Generous Lima, Peru
On a warm, sweaty July night in Dallas, Texas, Nutellio received a phone call from his colleague asking him to come to Lima, Peru. This was to support his child who was representing Puerto Rico at the Pan American Games for the under 20s. The answer was easy, "Hello yeah". Soon after, Nutellio boarded a flight straight from Newark to Peru's Jorge Chávez International Airport. A trip to Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Arequipa was on the list of places to visit until the distance and commitment weren't feasible. The Pan America Games were a priority. Lima, Peru is known for its food scene. It's ranked in the top 10 in the world. There was nothing disappointing about it.
Nutellio was amazed by the diversity of the cuisine of the country. He tried beef heart (anticuchos de corazón), goat meat (Seco de cabrito), stir-fried rice with chicken (chafu de pollo) and deep-fried donuts (picarones). How could Nutellio forget to mention the Ceviche? He can no longer look at ceviche in the states the same. Fermented fish forever raised the standards of well-cooked fish. Nutellio didn't try deep-fried guinea pigs (Cuy frito). Despite being curious, he couldn't sample the cooked meal because it looked crazy to him.
One of the most impressive things for Nutellio and his colleagues was the generous food portion provided. Think of hills of rice, a plate full of papa fritas, a whole hen, veggies, drinks and then the owner or waiter will have the audacity to bring the postre menu. It happens every day. Each time they ate. Nutellio was troubled by this because the majority of the people in the scene appeared in reasonable shape. There seemed to be a norm to it. He could not make the connection until he paid attention to his surroundings. The natives were really active. Many took public transportation, cycled, walked, ran, and soccer fields (cancha de futbol) were spotted everywhere. Another variable in their culture was how people paced themselves while eating. The concept of social dining was prominent in Lima. Interestingly, at least where Nutellio visited, fast food chains did not adversely affect public health.
Overall takeaway is intimacy when dining is vital for proper digestion, allowing the body to regulate appetite. Consuming food under stress is another variable to reduce because it can cause digestive issues. In addition, eating in a social setting is worth considering. Think about it, it's a party in its own way. It is incredibly beneficial for our health to eat in a happy state of mind. Nutellio needs to go out for his final meal before returning to the states. With that being said, bon appetit or bon provecho. Ciao!
Here’s a few fotos:
Reference
Kellman, R. (2015). The Microbiome Diet: The Scientifically Proven Way to Restore Your Gut Health and Achieve Permanent Weight Loss. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
Street, Francesca. “These Are the World’s 20 Best Cities for Foodies, According to Time Out.” CNN, Cable News Network, 30 May 2024, www.cnn.com/travel/time-out-best-food-cities-2024/index.html#:~:text=At%20number%20three%20on%20the,pollo%20(chicken%20and%20rice).
TasteAtlas. “31 Best Meat Dishes in Peru.” TasteAtlas, 15 July 2024, www.tasteatlas.com/best-rated-meat-dishes-in-peru.
