Peru Culinary Vacations

january 2008

To receive monthly updates on Peruvian cuisine and Pica Peru, sign up for our newsletter below. Previous issues of the Pica Peru Newsletter are available above.

International Year of the Potato

If you are still looking for a New Year's resolution, try this one: eat more potatoes. The United Nations has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato (IYP). By mashing more Russets in the next twelve months, you will be supporting the UN's goal to teach the world that the potato is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and protein, and has the potential to curb hunger in the developing world. (The potato can produce high yields on small plots.) The UN's designation for 2008 is particularly important for Peru, the native home of the vegetable, and the host of the International Potato Center (CIP), a potato education and research institute. The Peruvian government will use this year to encourage Peruvians to both produce and consume more of their native tuber. And, the CIP will use it to host both national and international potato events. Pica Peru, for its part, will host a potato dinner at Limon Restaurant (see below for details). For more information, visit IYP, www.potato2008.org, or CIP, www.cipotato.org.

Prague Eats Peruvian

As Peruvian food gains a name for itself beyond the boarders of South America, more and more countries have the opportunity to experience ceviche's tangy bite and causa's tender mashed potatoes. Last month, the Czechs were inaugurated into the world of Peruvian cuisine. Casa Andina, an authentic Peruvian restaurant, opened its doors near the central square in Prague's Old Town. Now instead of chilled glasses of pilsner, these Eastern Europeans can sip frothy pisco sours, follow them with generous creamy plates of ají de gallina stew, and discover the intense sweetness of the caramel dessert suspiro de limeña. Dušní 15 St., Jewish Quarter, Prague.

Pica Peru Events

*Throughout the year Pica Peru hosts events to share its appreciate for Peru and Peruvian food. These fun events are a great way to learn more about Pica Peru and meet our staff.

Moon Peru Slideshow & Talk, Wide World Books & Maps (Seattle, WA) Kazia Jankowski, co-author of Moon Peru and creator of Pica Peru Culinary Vacations, will share her adventures in writing the Moon Peru guide at Seattle’s Wide World Books & Maps. Through a vivid slideshow, Kazia will share her love of the country’s geographic and cultural diversity as well as its flavorful cuisine. All slideshow attendees are eligible for a drawing of a $500 Pica Peru Culinary Vacations gift certificate.
4411A Wallingford Ave. N., Seattle, WA. Tue., Jan. 22, 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.wideworldtravels.com.

Moon Peru Slideshow & Talk, The Travel Bug (Vancouver, BC, Canada) Kazia Jankowski, co-author of Moon Peru and creator of Pica Peru Culinary Vacations, will share her adventures in writing the Moon Peru guide at Vancouver’s The Travel Bug. Through a vivid slideshow, Kazia will share her love of the country’s geographic and cultural diversity as well as its flavorful cuisine. All slideshow attendees are eligible for a drawing of a $500 Pica Peru Culinary Vacations gift certificate.
3065 W. Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Wed., Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.travelbugbooks.ca.

Moon Peru Slideshow & Talk, Twenty-Third Avenue Books (Portland, OR) Kazia Jankowski, co-author of Moon Peru and creator of Pica Peru Culinary Vacations, will share her adventures in writing the Moon Peru guide at Portland’s Twenty-Third Avenue Books. Through a vivid slideshow, Kazia will share her love of the country’s geographic and cultural diversity as well as its flavorful cuisine. All slideshow attendees are eligible for a drawing of a $500 Pica Peru Culinary Vacations gift certificate. 1015 NW. 23rd Ave., Thu., Jan. 24, 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.23rdavebooks.com.

Moon Peru Slideshow & Talk, Changes in Latitude (Boulder, CO) Kazia Jankowski, Ross Wehner, and Renee del Gaudio, co-authors of Moon Peru, will share their adventures in writing the Moon Peru guide at Boulder's Changes in Latitude. Through a vivid slideshow, Kazia will share her love of flavorful Peruvian cuisine, and Ross and Renee will tell their story of road tripping through the country in an old Jeep. 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO, Tue., Jan. 28, 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.cil.com.

Papas & Vino Dinner, Limon restaurant (Denver, CO) In celebration of the International Year of the Potato, Limon restaurant and Pica Peru are hosting a special potato and wine dinner. This night, Limon’s menu will feature a variety of dishes inspired by Peruvian flavors and potatoes. Kazia Jankowski of Pica Peru will introduce the International Year of the Potato while explaining the potato’s importance in Peru and showing stunning photographs of the vegetable. 1618 E.17th Ave., Denver, CO, Thu., Feb. 21, 6 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, contact Kazia Jankowski, kazia@peruculinaryvacations, 303-513-8878.