Uruguayans are proud of their food, and the rituals that surround it. Not only have I enjoyed tasting the different popular dishes, but it's also interesting to learn about how and when the people here eat certain foods. For example, on the 29th of each month it is a tradition to eat gnocchi, an Italian dish that I love! Also, I’ve observed that Uruguayans spend more time at meals than Americans do. At restaurants, the waiter does not bring you the bill until you specifically ask for it, even if you have been sitting at your table for an hour after having finished your food. That also strikes me as very Italian, which makes sense given that Italian immigrants have had a significant influence on Uruguayan culture.
However, Uruguayans like to emphasize that they have certain traditions all of their own, without influence from the Italians or the Argentinians. Many Uruguayans have made a point of telling me that mate is originally Uruguayan, not Argentinian, though Argentinians will try to tell you otherwise!
I have tried asado (grilled meat) several times. A variety of meats are popular, but I’ve tried the most common ones: beef steak, chorizo (a type of sausage) and chicken. I find that the beef is chewy but delicious, and I love the smoky flavor of all the meats a la parrilla (grilled).
