WHAT TO EAT IN LA GUAJIRA, COLOMBIA
La Guajira is one of Colombia’s hidden treasures, located well off the beaten track. Situated on the northeastern coast, this lesser-known paradise borders the Caribbean Sea and Venezuela. Home to beautiful and somewhat alien landscapes, this coastal destination is a land full of amazing contrasts. Here you’ll discover coastal Caribbean desert covered in giant dunes, salt flats, cactuses, crystalline rivers, jungle, waterfalls, and plenty of stunning beaches. The department is also a place of great cultural and spiritual importance, home to Colombia’s largest Indigenous population. The Wayuu community has heavily influenced cuisine in the region and in this article, we will discuss some of the delicious and exotic dishes you can find in La Guajira Colombia.8 Exotic Foods to Try in La Guajira, Colombia
8. FRICHE
Unlike other traditional dishes found along the Colombian Caribbean coast, food in La Guajira Colombia is not solely based on seafood. One of the most typical dishes in the region is ‘friche’, which consists of frying or roasting goat and combining it with garlic, onion, lemon, and salt. It is arguably the most representative dish of the region and is commonly eaten by the Wayuu, the largest indigenous community in Colombia..
7. IGUANA COCONUT STEW (IGUANA GUISADA CON COCO)
This is another popular and representative dish of La Guajira. Thanks to being very common in the region and providing a great source of protein, iguanas have become a typical ingredient in local cuisine. Due to its high consumption (particularly in the Wayuu settlements), the region even has iguana farms so that the wild population is not affected. To prepare this dish, the iguana is stewed with coconut oil, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, onion, and sweet peppers. A flavorful and unique dish you may not have the opportunity to try anywhere else!If you want to know more about Colombian Caribbean food, take a look at some of our other articles:
What to Eat in Santa Marta Colombia
Gastronomy of San Andrés Colombia
What to Eat in Cartagena Colombia
6. STEWED GOAT IN COCONUT MILK (CHIVO GUISADO EN LECHE DE COCO)
Goats are easy to breed in this arid region and are very important to Wayuu cuisine, so it’s no surprise that this meat makes the list again. This dish consists of stewing goat in a large pot with oil, onions, garlic, chili, tomato, tomato paste, mustard, vinegar, cumin, salt, and of course coconut milk. Did you know that the Wayuu people also live in Venezuela? This rich and flavorful stew is also a traditional dish in Venezuela and one you shouldn’t miss trying!RIOHACHA & CABO DE LA VELA: WAYUU CULTURE
5. RICE & SHRIMP (ARROZ CON CAMARONES)
Located on the Colombian Caribbean coast, it’s no surprise that seafood is also commonly eaten in La Guajira (particularly lobster, shrimp, & fish). Although rice with shrimp is a popular dish served in many cities along the Colombian coast (including Cartagena & Santa Marta), the people of La Guajira have a unique way of preparing it.
Freshly caught shrimp are first cooked in boiling water and then dried until dehydrated. The Wayuu have no way of preserving their food, so this technique of dehydrating their food in the sun is very common! The process concentrates the flavor of the shrimp resulting in a rich and tasty dish. This entree is arguably the most delicious rice dish in the whole country!
4. MALANGADA
This traditional dish from Guajira Colombia consists of chicken, garlic, onion, and malanga (a root vegetable resembling a hairy potato). Unlike potatoes, however, malanga is far more nutrient-dense, low in fat, and high in fiber. Malangada is a particularly important and traditional dish in the small town of Urumita and for the indigenous community of Villanueva. Although this dish has its origins in La Guajira, it is now also eaten in Cesar, one of the 32 departments of Colombia.3. FRIED RAY (PEZ RAYA FRITO)
Located in the Colombian sea, fish is an important part of local cuisine in La Guajira. The most widely eaten fish is red snapper or sea bass; however, stingrays also form an important part of gastronomy in La Guajira.
CABO DE LA VELA & PUNTA GALLINAS COLOMBIA
2. SHARK ‘SALPICÓN’ (SALPICÓN DE TIBURÓN)
This shark dish (typically made with a juvenile smalltail shark) is one of the most exotic and unique dishes in all of Colombia. The chosen smalltail must be young as the meat from larger sharks is often rough and does not have the same texture or flavor. It may sound strange (depending on where you are from of course), but this food is considered a delicacy in La Guajira. Rich in flavor, this dish has a high energy content and is full of nutrients.
To make this dish, the shark meat is washed and cooked in water and salt for about ten minutes. The skin is removed, and the shark meat is shredded and then combined with carrot and coriander. A separately made sauce with achiote oil, sweet pepper, chives, and garlic is then added to the preparation. This tender shark meat dish is commonly eaten with rice or salt crackers, with locals often adding lemon to taste.
1. PAPAYA DESSERT (DULCE DE PAPAYA)
The list wouldn’t be complete without a sweet dessert made using one of Colombia’s wonderful tropical fruits. This dessert is made using the bright orange papaya fruit, sweet and mild in flavor. The papaya is cooked with a little water, sugar, cinnamon, and baking soda until it takes on the desired texture and flavor. So tasty!
All these dishes can be found in Riohacha, the capital of La Guajira. Plan your trip to this amazing & beautiful destination with MyTrip Colombia
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