Sopa De Mani
Tilcara was the last place we stopped in Argentina before crossing the Bolivian border. We arrived late at night and left early the next morning, leaving little time to enjoy the dramatic mountainous landscapes and rich aboriginal culture. Feeling too lazy to take advantage of the kitchen in our hostel, we headed out in search of local restaurant offerings. Lola Mora was our third stop, luring us in with their Sopa De Mani, peanut soup.
As we traveled through Northern Argentina, we heard about peanut soup from locals and other travelers. Knowing it was made from blended peanuts and usually made with vegetable stock, we were excited to try this traditional Argentinian dish. After placing our order, we tried to imagine what it would be like. Would it be thick like peanut butter? Having gone weeks without our favourite spread, we hoped for something similar. Turns out, peanut soup barely tastes like peanuts. It borders on the edge of thick and creamy, with most of the taste coming from the vegetable broth. It has a gritty texture, with some small clumps of blended peanuts. The most interesting component of the soup was the papas fritas, small french fry sticks, that floated on top. They added a bit of substance and some nice texture.
Andean Potatoes
Our second dish was almost as surprising as the first. It’s not often you receive exactly what the menu promises. The menu read “Andean potatoes with rosemary and olive oil”. Well, that’s certainly what we got. The small Andean potatoes were cooked but served cold with a modest amount of the oil and dried rosemary.
Eating at Lola Mora was a truly bizarre experience. However, it did feel authentic and I’m glad we gave it a try.
Tilcara Fruit and Vegetable Market
Having split the soup and potatoes, John and I went to bed hungry. Our grumbling tummies woke us up early the next morning and pulled us towards the local farmer’s market. We found an amazing rainbow of options, bought some fruit for next to nothing and returned to our hostel to wash our finds. After breakfast, we made some rice and lentils to take on the road. We prepared ourselves for the long bus ride to Tupiza, looking forward to our first stop in Bolivia.
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Do not how how that happened but peanut soup isn’t argentinian!!! its Bolivian, and I’m mad knowing poeple from other countries think this way sicne Bolivia its becomening a very ugly country to live due of the new politics and well basically the president. The few nice things this country has are taken credit by other countries (like the diablada, the salteña, caporales, etc).
Please don’t take this wrong is so nice you decided to come to south America yet I feel so impotent, this country does nothing to promote the good things and does everything to keep draging it to hell…and other countries don’t help much claiming things like this.
LA SOPA DE MANÍ ES DE BOLIVIA EXACTAMENTE DE SANTRA CRUZ BOLIVIA QUE HAYAN ESTADO EN EL NORTE DE ARGENTINA NO QUIERE DECIR QUE LA SOPA FUERA ORIGINARIA DE TAL PAIS, YA QUE EN LAS FRONTERAS ES NORMAL QUE LAS CULTURAS SE MEZCLEN Y EN ARGENTINA HAY MUCHOS BOLIVIANOS SOBRE TODO EN LA FRONTERA, LA SALTEÑA PESE AL NOMBRE. ES DE ORIGEN BOLIVIANO, LAS EMPANADILLAS ARGENTINAS SON PARECIDAS PERO EL SABOR Y LA FORMA DE PREPARARLAS NO SON IGUALES. ASI QUE PORFAVOR HAY QUE DOCUMENTARSE UN POQUITO.
To everyone surprise except to all Bolivians- “Sopa de Mani” originates in Bolivia!!!!!!..Amongst many other traditional dishes this is one of the most delicious dishes ever made :)). It is a very dense dish that when it is prepared in the original manner NEVER leaves the consumer with an empty feeling on the contrary leaves all very satisfied…just ask my husband..lol..whom by the way is a very Big Eater!!!…..B4 making any sort of commentary people should actually do their research!!!!…Bolivia is a country which offers with an open heart it’s unique folklore, culture, customs and of course traditional dishes to all wish to experience it!!!
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