Guinea pig replaces protein shake
September 8, 2009
Need a bite of savory adventure and a replacement for your dreadful protein shakes?
Hop on the 7 train to Jackson Heights’ Ecuadoran Restaurant, El Pequeño Coffee Shop and tackle a new dish: guinea pig. Say hello to his rat cousins along the way.
Although spontaneity is always coveted, you will need to call the restaurant at least two hours ahead of time to prepare the rodent for fine dining. Ask for cuy (pronounced coo-ee) when you dial the digits.
Turned off? Turn back on. Here’s a some clarity into your new favorite dish and restaurant:
Be healthy. The guinea pig is high in protein and low in fat. This docile animal munches on grass and vegetables. Which celebrity is going to sponsor this new guinea pig diet? The regimen will need a savvy new name to rival The South Beach Diet. Homework: Make it happen.
Do you eat lobster?
Lobsters dine on just about anything they encounter, including other lobsters. At least our guinea pig friends are more particular and healthy in their food choices. Although I prefer a picky animal on my plate rather than a scavenger, I’ll eat either one.
Get over the fact that guinea pigs are household pets. Centuries before they were sold in American pet stores, these animals were a huge source of food and folklore in the Andes region. Today, Peruvians consume an estimated 65 million guinea pigs each year. The domesticated animal is easy to reproduce, feed, and guinea pigs don’t take up much space around the home. Cows, on the other hand…
Cuy is tasty. Although there was not a lot of meat on the bones, it was enough to satisfy my curiosity and my protein craving. Cutting through the thick roasted skin was a challenge; you will need two hands, and it isn’t pretty. Therefore, don’t eat at El Pequeno Coffee Shop on a first date. Wait until the third date to be safe.
Supplement the pork-like taste and duck-like texture of the cuy with other dishes such as the tostones (fried unripe plantains) served with garlic sauce and guacamole.
El Pequeño Coffee Shop also serves the cuy dish with a variety of corn, potatoes, avocado, and tomatoes. Make sure you eat the cancha (golden fried kernels). While the guinea pig dish serves four people, it is a steep $40 – and it goes well with a cold Corona. Bring friends and you’ll have a memorable experience.
