More than 10,000 people on Sunday enjoyed Andean Huancayo city's emblematic Papa a la Huancaina (Huancayo-styled potato) during a festival on the occasion of Farmer's Day.
Held at Huancayo's Huamanmarca Square, the activity began early on Sunday as municipality staff prepared the flagship dish with the support of local America Culinary Institute teachers and students.
Huancayo Mayor Alcides Chamorro addressed attendees and underlined the role of local growers, who joined the event to offer their produce, traditional dishes and dairy products.
"On the occasion of
Farmer's Day [June 24], I'd like to greet and recognize all our
fellow farmers, who till the lands to provide for their families and for all of us," the mayor pointed out.
On the other hand, Huancayo Municipality's Economic and Tourism Promotion Manager Mauro Gamarra noted this year's festival gathered producers from 15 —out of Huancayo's 28— districts.
"Our goal is to create spaces for the sale of products to a large public while guaranteeing their quality and security […]," he explained.
Traditional recipe
While native to Mantaro River Valley,
Papa a la Huancaina has become a beloved dish in other Peruvian cities, and has even crossed borders to delight international palates.
This unpretentious —yet deep-flavored— cold starter is made of thickly-sliced boiled potatoes covered in a creamy yellow chili pepper sauce.
Fresh cheese, milk and oil complete the recipe for a rich, pourable consistency. It is typically served with lettuce leaves, olives and boiled eggs cut in quarters.
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