Barichara's Bootylicious Bugs

Barichara, small perfect colonial town where many Sp. lang. films have been made, is also a bit of a foodies' paradise. Trouble is, most of the delicacies involve ANTS! We're not just talking small ants, but HORMIGAS CULONAS, literally fat bottom ants. This is a tradition which dates over 500 years when indigenous Guane people cultivated them for aphrodesiac and healing properties. We were planning an anniv. dinner at the town´s best restaurant, Color de Hormiga, where the specialty is filet mignon drenched in ant sauce and topped with fried ants. Oh darn, it's closed for a month vacation! We did buy a sack of fried ants today and R. crunched down a few. The rest we are saving for all devoted followers of the blog. Let's have pictures and fried ant snacks as soon as possible after we get back!

We've also tried a delicious haunch of grilled goat, another specialty. Shortly after I ordered it, R. was reading the guide book which said it is usually served with pepitoria (ground up goat organs and blood). Sure enough, it appeared with a suspicious looking side dish which the waitress confirmed as pepitoria. It was surprisingly tasty if you didn´t think too much about it.

And as one who appreciates a sweet morsel or two to cleanse the palate, the town is loaded with little shops selling candy and desserts. The main one is arequipe, a kind of cross between a sauce and a fudge of dulce de leche which you eat with a spoon. MMMMMM!