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About this trip
A Chiloé curanto is a traditional and delicious culinary experience that you must try when visiting the Chiloé Archipelago in Chile. This unique and culturally significant dish offers a taste of the local way of life and a rich blend of flavors.
Setting
A Chiloé curanto is often prepared outdoors, in picturesque settings near the coast or in small fishing villages. The combination of natural beauty and the communal aspect of the meal makes it an ideal experience for travelers.
Ingredients
A Chiloé curanto is primarily a seafood and potato dish. The key ingredients include:
- Seafood: You'll find a variety of seafood such as mussels, and clams.
- Potatoes and Veggies: Chiloé is famous for its different potato varieties, and they play a crucial role in a curanto.
- Meats: Smoked pork, Spanish sausages (chorizo) and chicken are also part of the curanto, adding a different dimension to the meal.
- Milcaos and Chapaleles: These are potato-based patties that complement the seafood and meats.
- Nalca leaves: These large, native leaves are used to separate the different layers of food and infuse them with their unique flavor.
Preparation
The preparation of a Chiloé curanto is a communal affair, often involving multiple generations of a family or a local community. The process typically involves:
- Digging a Pit: A large hole is dug in the ground, and stones are heated in a wood fire until they are red-hot.
- Layering: The ingredients are carefully layered in the pit, over red hot stones. The seafood, meat, potatoes, and dumplings are stacked on top of each other.
- Covering: Nalca leaves are used to cover the food, keeping in the heat and steam, imparting a unique, earthy flavor.
- Cooking: The entire assembly is left to cook in this earth oven for an hour or so, allowing the flavors to meld together and develop a smoky, rich taste.
- Uncovering: Patience pays off. Once cooked, the covering layers are removed, revealing the steaming hot food. The layers are carefully lifted out, and the food is served immediately.
Serving
Once the Chiloé curanto is ready, it's unearthed with a sense of excitement and celebration. The aromatic steam and the sight of the colorful, mouth-watering contents being revealed make it a special and unique moment. The meal is typically served on platters, and everyone gathers around to enjoy it.
Flavors
The Chiloé curanto is a flavor explosion, combining the freshness of seafood, the richness of smoked pork and chicken, and the comforting starchiness of the potatoes. The earthy notes from the Nalca leaves and the smokiness from the hot stones infuse the dish with a unique Chiloé character.
Experience
This communal dining experience is not just about the food; it's also a cultural and social event. It allows you to connect with the locals, learn about their traditions, and immerse yourself in the authentic Chiloé way of life. It's an unforgettable experience that combines the beauty of the landscape with the richness of the local cuisine, making it a must-try for any traveler visiting Chiloé.
What’s included
- TransportationTransportation from your hotel in Castro or the Rilan Peninsula to the countryside locality of La Estancia where the Curanto will be prepared.
- Pisco SourYour hosts at La Estancia will welcome you with a Pisco Sour upon arrival.
- Bilingual Foodie GuideA bilingual guide will take you through this whole experience explaining all of its process and history of the traditional Curanto
- Glass of WineA complimentary glass of house wine is included in this experience. Beer and Premium Wines are optional and available upon request.
- CurantoNot only the meal, but partaking of this unique experience with locals. during the preparation and throughout the whole process.
- Local MusiciansFor a more authentic and festive mood, an accordionist and guitar player will delight us with local tunes during the unearthing of our Curanto.
What’s not included
- TipsEven though tipping is not compulsory, it is greatly appreciated by the cooks, musicians and our staff helping out.
Available Packages
This is a full-day experience where we will meet with locals in a countryside location to participate in one of the most ancestral traditions of the archipelago.
Available options
We can offer a variety of selected premium wines to enhance your curanto experience.
A selection of local beers that will go perfectly with both the preparing and the enjoying of this unique culinary experience.
Itinerary
A Curanto Day in Chiloé is a vibrant and immersive cultural experience that epitomizes the island's unique way of life. As the sun rises over the picturesque Chiloé Archipelago, locals and visitors gather at a coastal or communal setting, anticipating the mouthwatering feast to come. The day unfolds with the traditional preparation of the curanto: a pit is dug, stones are heated, and a colorful array of seafood, potatoes, meat, and dumplings are carefully arranged and cooked underground. As the aromatic steam rises and the food is unveiled, the event becomes a lively celebration of Chiloé's rich heritage, where food, music, and community blend harmoniously. It's a day of sharing, savoring, and embracing the island's vibrant culture, leaving visitors with unforgettable memories of Chiloé's unique charm and culinary delights.