Llama on the menu

In the provinces of Salta and Jujuy where I have spent the last week or so, the regional specialty is llama. A little disconcerting at first since they´re so iconic to South America, but I suppose it´s a bit like us Aussies eating kangaroos. Anyway, we figured that we should try some llama meat, and we got it in a few forms...

First, we took a shot at a pretty delicious sounding dish of llama steaks cooked in peach sauce accompanied by potatoes, parsley and goat´s cheese, as well as a bottle of the local viño tinto (red wine). Well, don´t know what happened to the sauce, parsley and goat´s cheese (maybe the truck went awol off one of those crazy roads...), but the potatoes were good and the llama actually was really nice! A little tougher than other meats, but tasty nonetheless.

Another variation was that of the regional specialty locro, a type of soup with pretty much anything I think such as beans, corn, pulses, vegies, and meat (yes, including llama). It´s really nice, and makes a change from the usual meat-and-salad combination! Plus, it´s a bit more warming on those cold, high-altitude nights.

Thirdly, I don´t think I´ve mentioned Empanadas before, but these are another Argentinian obsession. They´re pretty much pastries filled with carne (meat), pollo (chicken), verduras (vegetables), queso (cheese) or yep, you guessed it, llama! If nothing else, you can always be guaranteed to find empanadas on the menu at any eatery in the country! Not sure I could tell the difference between llama empanades and the normal carne, but maybe the blocked nose got in the way!

Speaking of, I´ve been sick for over a week now with a cold, hopefully not Swine Flu (which resulted in a month of holidays here in Salta and there are signs EVERYWHERE in Argentina about being hygenic etc). It was funny going to the Doc here, who thankfully did speak English. This is the first time I´ve been prescribed oxygen 3 times a day and Ivy leaf extract as part of my treatment! Anyway, I´m spending a few extra days in Salta to recuperate fully before returning to self-inflicted sickness at altitude. A good opportunity though to take some Spanish lessons and catch up on the blog and photos!!

Have finally managed to get the photos into photobucket, and have added the links in the sidebar on the right if you´re keen and want to check them all out! Otherwise, I´ll post them as slideshows over the next few days so they aren´t all in one chunk (many many photos!!).

Hasta la proxima!