A Portion of Picarones from Valentinas

By Walter Coraza Morveli (translated by David Knowlton)

Picarones are an exquisite dessert enjoyed throughout Peru. In the city of the Incas every afternoon, the desire for the sweetness yet richness of picarones awakens. As the sun says its goodbyes to the mountains kissing them with its last rays of light, picarones begin to shine and enchant the palates of Cusqueños with their delirious flirts of taste and fine perfume. Read the rest of this entry

Sighs (Suspiros), a Sweet Meringue

By Walter Coraza Morveli and Arnold Fernandez Coraza (translated by David Knowlton)

Traditional desserts fill the markets and plazas of Cuzco with different colors and tastes every day during Holy Week when Cuzco celebrates. In the markets and plazas gastronomic festivals take hold and in them one finds sales of Cuzco’s traditional Holy Week desserts. Read the rest of this entry

Stewed Peach Served Up

By Arnold Fernandez Coraza (translated by David Knowlton)

During Easter peaches show up in Cuzco and are an important food for the holiday. Of course they are enjoyed at other times, but during Holy Week they go into one of the traditional set of small servings eaten in honor of the holiday. Read the rest of this entry

Olive Branches and Rosemary for Palm Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday and with it begins Holy Week. Though strongly based in its indigenous past, Cuzco is also strongly Catholic and for the Catholic faithful today begins the most important religious feast of the year. They celebrate with full faith and fervor. Read the rest of this entry

Suspiro a la Limeña (http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Suspiro_de_limeña)

By the Sunday Chef (translation by David Knowlton)

The sweetness of a dessert gives us a moment of happiness and makes life feel better. It reminds us of our childhood: the fabulous summer when we chased down the ice cream man for something cold and sweet to refresh our bodies and to laugh while slowly licking the bars with our friends; Sunday afternoons we would go to a pastry shop with all our family anxiously waiting for the pleasant waiter to ask him for our favorite dessert and enjoy its taste.  It is such a beautiful sensation to hear the word dessert because our mind fills with great memories and we just naturally smile. Read the rest of this entry

Apple Pie

By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)

While walking down Marques Street I saw a curly haired woman offering tempting slices of apple pie to passersby. She urged me to buy a piece with a happy smile and her product in hand. I could not resist and had to buy a piece. Read the rest of this entry

Try My Sweet Corn Cake

By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)

Sweet corn cake (pastel de choclo), one of Cuzco’s distinctive traditions, keeps crossing borders. It is easy to make and, as a result, in different parts of the world people are learning to make it. They learn from the internet or collections of recipes where many times they have pictures of how to prepare this delicious dessert. Read the rest of this entry

Crema Volteada dessert

By Walter Coraza Morveli and Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translated by David Knowlton)

Just a half block from Cuzco’s popular Plaza de Armas, on Plateros Street, stands a small, warm, and colorful place, Tres . Cafe. Creatively designed, it transports you into a world of fantasy in its decorations and its division into two floors. It is a wonderful place to have a drink, eat a pastry, and use their internet while relaxing from the rigors of a visit to Cuzco. Read the rest of this entry

Suspiros in the San Pedro Market

By Hebert Edgardo Huamani Jara (translation by David Knowlton)

People like sweets and the people of Cuzco are no exception. In the city are found a whole range of treats, from very traditional to innovative and modern. From what is sold on the streets to the restaurants Cuzco shows its flavors in ways that fit it into an international encyclopedia of desserts as well as show its own distinctive flair. Read the rest of this entry

Tupac Amaru Fair

By Walter Coraza Morveli (Translated by David Knowlton)

An Andean Mall, the weekly Tupac Amaru fair offers a great variety of goods as well as providing the largest gastronomic fair in the city of Cuzco. Besides pleasing demanding palates, the fair also offers fun. One can shop, dance, and laugh. Read the rest of this entry