Argentine Cuisine

Due to the large number of immigrants from Europe, the Argentine Cuisine is heavily influenced by European cuisines, namely by the Italian and the Spanish Cuisines. For example you can find all sorts of pasta in Argentina as well as the Argentine version of the famous pizza and the Picada, a typical Argentine snack reminds of the Spanish tapas.

Of course, Argentina is also famous for its meats. Especially beef (in Patagonia: Lamb) is a staple in Argentina. Grilled meat (parrillada) from the asado (meat cooked on a grill or over open fire) is a staple, with steak and beef ribs especially common. But not only cuts of beef are enjoyed in Argentina, the Argentines also like Morcillas (blood sausages), Chinchulines (small intestines of a pig, prepared as food), Riñones (kidneys), Molleja (thymus or pancreas) or Chorizos (small sausages). Usually these cuts of meats and sausages are seasoned with chimichurri, a sauce with herbs and chilis, and accompanied by white bread, light salads and Argentine red wine.

Argentine Specialities

• Empanadas: Pastries of meat, cheese, sweet corn and a hundred other varieties. Empanadas are usually served at parties and picnics.
• Locro: Stew from the North of Argentina. It usually consists of white maize, sausages, tomatoes and pumpkins. Locro is usually very spicy.
• Puchero: Stew with potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, pieces of beef, acelga (spinach-like vegetable) and eggs.
• Dulce de Leche ("Milk jam" or "caramel spread"): Sweet paste used to spread over bread, to fill cakes or to flavour ice cream or biscuits.
• Helado: Italian-style ice-cream
• Queso y Dulce: A thick slice of cheese, spread with either sweet potatoe- or quince-jam.

Argentine Beverages

The national drink of Argentina is a tea-like drink called mate. The dried mate-leaves and -twigs are put in a small cup, usually made from a gourd along with a generous amount of sugar and then hot water is poured into the cup. The drink is sipped through a metal or cane straw called a bombilla. At family or small social gatherings, one mate may be shared by the group, with the host preparing the mate to the preference of each guest. When one guest is finished, the mate is returned to the host, who will then prepare a mate for another guest.

Quilmes is the most popular beer-brand in Argentina.

Argentine wine

Although Argentina is the 5th largest wine-producer in the world, the Argentine wine is not very popular beyond the country's borders because only some 10% are exported.

Argentina produces wine from the following grapes:

Red wine: Criolla , torrontes Palomino, Malbec, Shiraz/Syrah, Sangiovese, Barbera

White wine: Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Chardonnay
Verschnitte werden häufig mit Borgona oder Chablis bezeichnet.