Argentina’s culture is deeply rooted in its food; one traditional dish is a time-honored national treasure. You can find a tasty 30-minute Locro at holiday celebrations, family gatherings, and many of the region’s restaurants. Similar to how you can find pizza or burgers virtually anywhere in America.
Because many Argentinians consider Locro a national dish, there are many variations. The styles are associated with the areas from where the recipes are derived. The tradition is age-old and consists of hearty meats and vegetables stewed to create a medley of flavors that explode on your pallet.
One holiday celebration where you’ll find a great 30-minute Locro as the main dish of the meal is the May 25th celebrations of the Argentine revolution. Since we’ve celebrated Independence worldwide, we recognize Locro as our go-to celebratory meal that marks the creation of Argentina’s first independent government on July 9th, 1816. This date is remarkable, as is the history of the dish.
Before the Spanish colonization, Andean people known as the Cuyo migrated to northern Argentina, bringing their folkways and mores. Looking further back at the history of Locro, we find that the dish was a staple among the indigenous people of the Inca Empire.
Many interpretations of the dish contain stew beef, pancetta, white corn kernels, white beans, and other assorted veggies. One bowl of the stew sates hunger and warms the soul. Here’s a great recipe that can give you a guideline for your first try at making Locro. You’ll undoubtedly create variations of your own as you perfect the dish.