This dish is distinguished because its ingredients are wrapped in bijao leaves to roast them. It is a characteristic technique of the Amazon region of Peru. Bijao is a plant native to Central and South America, whose scientific name is “calathea lutea. Cooking food wrapped in its leaves gives an additional flavor to meals.
History of Patarashca
Pataraschca is a word from the Quechua language that means to wrap, stick, or fold. In the native peoples of the Amazon region, various types of meat were used in the preparation of patarashca, especially hualo, which is a type of large frog or river shrimp.
Over time, other ingredients, such as fish and some vegetables, were incorporated. This is how it is currently prepared: grilled with various accompaniments.
Ingredients of the traditional patarashca recipe
- Four whole medium-sized fish.
- Four or five cloves of ground garlic.
- Three sweet peppers.
- Four bijao leaves.
- Two onions.
- Coriander.
- A teaspoon of cumin.
- Oil.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation
- Clean the fish very well and remove the scales.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a bowl or similar container, mix the onion, garlic cloves, oil, cumin, a little salt and pepper, sweet pepper, and finely chopped cilantro.
- With this mixture, stuff the fish and then wrap them in the bijao leaves.
- Put the fish on the grill and let them roast for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Accompaniments can be boiled yuca or manioc, and some salad of your choice.
Where to try patarashca in Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu
Now that you know the ingredients of patarashca and how to prepare it, we will recommend some restaurants in Peru where you can enjoy it with the unmistakable Peruvian seasoning.
Lima
La Patarashca Restaurant: This restaurant serves Amazonian cuisine, and as its name suggests, patarashca is one of its most popular dishes. They have locations throughout Lima. You can check their website or social media to find the nearest address.
Mar y Selva: Located in Surquillo, this restaurant offers jungle cuisine, including patarashca.
El Encanto Amazónico: Located in Surco, this restaurant specializes in Peruvian jungle cuisine, and as you know, patarashca is one of them.
La Patarashkita: With several locations in Lima (including Miraflores), this restaurant offers an immersion in Amazonian cuisine, and patarashca is a common dish.
Cusco
Amazon Restaurant: As its name suggests, their specialty is jungle food, and according to some sources, they serve a delicious catfish patarashca. They are located on Huayruropata Avenue.
Iquitos
La Patarashca (Tarapoto and Iquitos): This restaurant stands out for its cuisine from the Peruvian Amazon, with locations in both Tarapoto and Iquitos. Patarashca is, of course, one of its signature dishes.
Al Frío y al Fuego: This floating restaurant on the Amazon River offers a unique culinary experience with regional dishes, including patarashca de doncella (a type of local fish).
