Popular food in Uruguay

 

The basics

When it comes to popular food in Uruguay there are some basics that have to be at the top of the list. We need to start by the asado, without any doubt the most popular food in Uruguay. Asado could be closely followed in the list by chivitos and milanesas, both of them very popular and a traditional component of the Uruguayan cuisine. Then, we can also find the pascualina and the puchero: both of them made with vegetables and often present in the table of Uruguayan families.

Milanesas

Basically, milanesas are meat covered with egg and breadcrumbs which are fried. This can be found in other parts of the world, but in Uruguay we have some interesting variations which have become very popular. One of these variations is the milanesa napolitana: a milanesa with ham, tomato and mozzarella cheese on top. Other popular way to eat milanesas is "al pan": A milanesa sandwich which usually has tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise.

Milanesa napolitana completa with salads

 

Chivitos

Chivitos, and chivitos canadienses, are not only a popular food in Uruguay but also often are the favorite Uruguayan food for many turists who visit the country. Chivitos usually consist on a cow meat sandwich with lettuce, tomato, ham, mozzarella cheese, and mayonaisse; while chivitos canadienses are the same as chivitos but with several other ingredients such as onions, egg, olives, pickles, sweet belly pepper, and bacon. Chivitos can also be eaten "al plato", this is on a dish and without the bread.

Puchero and pascualina

Puchero is a tradition in Uruguayan winters. This dish is very popular in Uruguay, especially in winter since it can be great for fighting against cold. It is made by cooking in water many different vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach, squash, and corn, along with a piece of cow meat or chorizos, and then using that water for a soup. Pascualina, other popular food in Uruguay, basically consists on a pie filled with chard and eggs, although its preparation is a bit more complex than that.