Pachamanca
Peruvian Earth Oven Feast
Pachamanca is a traditional Andean ceremonial feast where various meats, tubers, and herbs are slow-cooked underground using hot stones in a specially dug earth oven. This method imparts a unique smoky, earthy flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Lamb shoulder or leg
- 1 kg Pork shoulder or belly
- 1 kg Whole chicken
- 2 kg Various potatoes (e.g., Andean varieties like Papa Nativa, or Yukon Gold)
- 1 kg Sweet potatoes
- 500 g Fava beans (habas)
- 1 large bunch Chincho herbs (or substitute with a mix of rosemary, huacatay, and mint)
- 2 tablespoons Aji Amarillo paste (optional, for marinade)
- 6 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Cumin
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 15-20 pieces Large, smooth stones (river stones are ideal)
- sufficient quantity Dry firewood
- sufficient quantity Large banana leaves or heat-resistant plastic sheeting
- 4-6 pieces Wet burlap sacks or thick towels
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the earth oven pit: Dig a pit approximately 1 meter deep and 1 meter wide. The size can be adjusted based on the quantity of food. Ensure the sides are relatively stable.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
Heat the stones: Build a large fire in the pit using dry firewood. Once the fire has burned down to embers, carefully place the cleaned stones directly into the embers. Allow the stones to heat for at least 1.5 to 2 hours, until they are glowing red hot. This requires intense heat, similar to a forge.
⏱️ 1 hour 30 minutes - 3
Marinate the meats: While the stones are heating, prepare the marinade. In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, Aji Amarillo paste (if using), cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the lamb, pork, and chicken pieces, ensuring they are well-coated. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in a cool place.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 4
Prepare the pit for cooking: Once the stones are extremely hot, carefully remove most of the embers and ash from the pit using a shovel, leaving the hot stones at the bottom. Line the sides and bottom of the pit with large banana leaves or heat-resistant sheeting, ensuring there are no gaps.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
Layer the ingredients: Begin layering the food directly onto the hot stones. Start with a layer of chincho herbs, followed by the marinated meats (lamb and pork first, as they take longer to cook, then chicken). Arrange the potatoes and sweet potatoes around and on top of the meats. Tuck the fava beans in their pods amongst the other ingredients. Add another layer of chincho herbs on top.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 6
Seal the oven: Cover the layered ingredients completely with more banana leaves or sheeting. Then, place the wet burlap sacks or towels over the leaves, followed by the soil that was removed from the pit. Pack the soil down firmly to create an airtight seal. The steam generated from the moist ingredients and the trapped heat will cook the food.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 7
Cook the Pachamanca: Allow the food to cook underground for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. The exact time will depend on the size of the pit, the heat of the stones, and the size of the ingredients. Avoid disturbing the oven during this time.
⏱️ 2 hours 30 minutes - 3 hours - 8
Unearth and serve: Carefully remove the soil and coverings. Using heat-resistant gloves or tools, lift out the banana leaves and food. The meats should be tender and falling off the bone, and the tubers should be soft and infused with flavor. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓This is a communal cooking technique, often prepared for celebrations. It requires significant effort and coordination.
- ✓The intense heat of the stones is crucial for proper cooking. Ensure they are heated for a sufficient duration.
- ✓The combination of smoke, earth, and herbs creates a unique and deeply savory flavor profile.
- ✓If chincho herbs are unavailable, a blend of rosemary, huacatay (Peruvian black mint), and fresh mint can be used as a substitute.
- ✓Safety is paramount: handle hot stones and embers with extreme caution.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Other meats like beef or cuy (guinea pig) can be included.
- Different tubers such as ullucus (ollucos) or oca can be used alongside or instead of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
- Corn on the cob can also be added to the layers.