Food is an important part of life in Argentina, and it is also a fun way to learn about the people here and their backgrounds. When I came here, I noticed that meals are often shared with family and friends. Eating together is a time to connect, laugh and talk about your day. Some of the most popular dishes include asado, pasta, pizza, empanadas and milanesa. Because many Italian families came to Argentina long ago, a lot of the food has Italian influence. Each dish tells its own story! Here, I will share what I learned (and tasted!) about these delicious foods (and one not-so-delicious item).
The meal I am going to share about today is asado. Asado is one of the most famous meals in Argentina. It is like a big barbecue where meat is cooked over fire or hot coals. Families and friends gather for asado, and it is just as much about spending time together as it is about eating. The person who cooks the meat is called the asador, and everyone waits patiently because asado takes several hours. The asado I eat with my family includes beef, sausages, chicken and a special item called morcilla (moh-SEE-yah), or blood sausage. It is made with animal blood, fat and spices and has a very dark color. We eat asado every Sunday together.
