Behind the Scenes of Argentinean Cuisine: Mbeyú Mestizo

A traditional Guaraní delicacy from the Littoral region, with cassava as the key ingredient

Lidia en su casa en Paraje Nueva Argentina. (2020-12-26/2020-12-28) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

The area in northeastern Argentina in the province of Misiones has major influences from its closest neighbors. It shares many social and culinary traditions with the south of Brazil—particularly Paraguay and Guaraní culture.

La chacra en Paraje Nueva Argentina. (2020-12-26/2020-12-28) by Fotógrafo 2: Gonzalo Guendler.Gustar

Preparacion del Mbejú (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

One clear example is mbeyú, an original Guaraní dish. The recipe for this is given by María Engelberta, a Paraguayan housewife in Posadas, Misiones. She prepares the mestiza version of mbeyú, mixing cassava starch with corn flour.

Preparacion del Mbejú (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

Preparacion del Mbejú (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

Prepaarción del Mbejú (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

It is cooked in a similar way to pancakes: pan fried and flipped over. Recipes such as these are typical for Misiones families as, thanks to their simple steps and delicious flavors, they become very practical preparations for breakfasts and snacks.

Puertas adentro de la cocina argentina: mbeyú mestizoGustar

Mónica y Leticia toman mate (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

The mbeyú is prepared with a base of yuca, one of the most characteristic ingredients in the region, to be consumed alongside the mate, another typical product of the province of Misiones and one of the most traditional pairings one can find in the coast.

Mónica y Leticia comen Mbejú (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

At 78 years of age, María Engelberta keeps the traditions she grew up with alive, having fun while cooking for her friends and loved ones and using the recipes she inherited from her mother.

Mónica y Leticia (2021-01-27/2021-01-29) by Fotógrafo 1: Julio Noguera.Gustar

Credits: Story

Video: CONTAR, public platform for audiovisual content, National Secretariat for Media and Public Communication. www.cont.ar/Editor: Diego Marinelli/Text: Juan Marinelli 

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