A large country located in southern South America, Argentina is a place where local cuisine blends with overseas influences for exciting fusion fare. Traditional Argentinian food is meat-heavy, with beef and pork making up a majority of the local diet. Asado, or community barbeque, is not just a favorite way to cook meat, but a cornerstone of their culture. Empanadas and choripán— a kind of chorizo hot dog — are some of the country’s most popular street foods. Sweet caramel milk sauce called dulce de leche is a beloved ingredient for desserts like cookies, pastries, and ice cream.
The European Influence on Argentina’s Cuisine
Many Europeans migrated to Argentina during the late 19th century and into the early 20th century, which had a huge impact on the country’s cuisine. Many of Argentina’s most popular dishes are local takes on Spanish and Italian recipes. Milanesa, for example, is Italian Chicken Milanese with an Argentinian twist. Like the original Italian dish, the meat is pounded thin and then breaded, but unlike the original, this version is topped with foods like eggs, cheese, or tomato sauce. Beef is also a common alternative to chicken.
Another Italian-inspired Argentinian dish is Provoleta, a Provolone-like cheese cooked in a cast iron skillet and served with bread and chimichurri, a parsley and vinegar based salsa. Pizza, too, has been transformed to suit local tastes. Traditional Spanish recipes like paella are also common, given local flavor with the addition of Argentina’s famous red shrimp — a seafood so rich and sweet it is often likened to lobster.
Where can I buy Argentinian food?
Supermarket Italy offers an array of international food items, including imports from Argentina. At our international grocery store, you’ll find foods like dulce de leche, freshly caught red shrimp, and traditional yerba mate herbal tea. You’ll also get to sample how Italian culture meets Argentinian culture with foods like Reggianito cheese, a local take on Italy’s famous Parmigiano Reggiano.
