As you might imagine with
a country full of such diverse vegetation and climate
Ecuador food is well-known for its vast array of exotic
fruit, numerous vegetables (most notably its potatoes),
and superb quality seafood. However, if Ecuador food is
not to your particular liking, food in Ecuador includes
the availability of Western cuisine, or even Asian food.
Those selecting to eat the traditional foods of Ecuador
will be able to select from a broad spectrum of national
dishes. The overwhelming favorite national Ecuador food
though consists of rice, potatoes and meat - known locally
as "churrasco". Usually the meat will be beef or chicken,
but in some parts of Ecuador you may find this is pork.
Among the other selections of national foods of Ecuador
you may find yourself being offered include:
However, whilst soups are undoubtedly Ecuador's specialty
food, every Ecuadorian gets involved with making their
own "aji". Aji is the hot sauce that accompanies most
foods of Ecuador - and be warned: some can be quite spicy!
For those of interested, the following are the terms
that foods in Ecuador are known by (with their English
language equivalent):
* battered (fried) = Apanado
* deep-fried = Brosterizado
* grilled = A la brasa
* pan-fried = Frito
* steamed = Al vapor
* stewed (meat) = Seco
Vegetarians
Although most traditional foods in Ecuador cater for
those who prefer to eat meat, in fact the choice of vegetarian
foods available in Ecuador is superb - especially if you
are staying in one of the more cosmopolitan cities such
as Quito, Otavalo
or Banos. In any event, with the
rich selection of fruits and vegetables available in Ecuador,
being vegetarian should not preclude you from eating here:
but it is unlikely that you'll be able to partake in any
specialty dishes, which, as mentioned, tend to include
meat.
