Ecuadorian food refers to the food prepared by the people of Eucador The most popular foods in the Ecuadorian Cuisine include exciting fruits, fish of high quality, seafood, and Andean potatoes (available in a number of varieties). The spices used in Ecuadorian food are amazing and extraordinary, thus making the food highly delicious and mouth watering.
Traditionally the cuisine of Ecuador only comprises two dishes, viz rice platter and soup. Though the nation is widely known for various types of bananas and their use in preparing various dishes, yet the importance of starch rich foods in the nation like rice, bread, potatoes and yuca cannot be ignored.
Commonly Used Ingredients in Ecuadorian Cuisine
Ecuadorian food is normally prepared with the use of potatoes and bananas which are available in different types in abundance.
Popular Foods of Ecuadorian Cuisine
Ø The regional and national dishes throughout the country include toasted corn, lemon marinated shrimp, and patties which are stuffed with crushed spicy meat.
Ø People having low budget can enjoy great Ecuadorian food where they can opt for set meals or combo meals containing a soup item, meat dish and a dessert item. Vegetarians can go for pastries, breads, cheese filled pastries and savory snacks. Pancakes of cheese and potato are the main delicacies for vegetarians.
Ø Regular Ecuadorian food includes potato, rice, and meat (chicken and beef being most popular used).
Ø Hot sauce known as “aji” is very famous in the Ecuadorian cuisine.
Ø Another Ecuadorian food specialty includes soups, with locro soup being immensely popular which is prepared various ingredients such as avocado, potato and cheese.
Ø Seco de pollo is one of the regular foods in Ecuador, which is a dish of cooked chicken with avocado slices and rice.
Ø Chicken, beef, cuy (guinea pig), and pork are largely popular in mountain areas which are served along with various foods rich in carbohydrates like corn, rice and potatoes.
Ø Hornado is a popular street Ecuadorian food in mountain areas which is made of potatoes and is served along with roasted pig.
Ø The fresh fruits which are highly popular and available in Ecuador include granadilla, naranjilla, passionfruit, various kinds of bananas, tree tomato, and taxo.
Ø In general, the well accepted foods from Ecuadorian cuisine comprise of the following:
• Patacones, which are unripe plantains fried in vegetable oil, mashed and then refried before serving.
• Llapingachos, which is potato ball baked in pan.
• Seco de chivo, a stewed dish made of goat.