Sweet and Spicy Treats

My favorite dessert in Peru so far is Mazamorada Arroz con Leche combinado. I had this in Lima from a street vendor in the park, and I knew I would love it The mazamorada is a syrup made of Chicha Morada, which is a an absolutely delicious drink made of purple corn essence and pineapple juice, with some cinnamon and cloves mixed in. The combinado is rice pudding with a mazamorada topping-- and I'm in heaven...

Arequipa has its own distinct flavor of cuisine which is different from the rest of Peru. I went out with a couple of Spanish school buddies to a restaurant called "La Neuva Palomino". It's a traditional restaurant that Peruvians eat at with their families on Sundays. Of course, I ordered the biggest platter they have. This plate included rocoto relleno, a specialty of Arequipa, which is stuffed Rocoto pepper, kind of like a red bell pepper, but much spicier.

My gigantic lunch also included lamb's feet-- I couldn't bring myself to eat it, so my homestay family's dog, Matija, had a feast that night.

However, in Arequipa, one of the most fascinating desserts are picarones, which is a Peruvian version of doughnuts. These are not so sweet and much lighter and flakier than you would find in Dunkin Donuts, and the people who make them are much cuter (no bias here). The flour is made typically of yams or yucca, and its served with a sugary syrup with orange essence and a hint of spices like cinnamon or cloves. Yum!