Ecuador Recipes
Andean markets and equatorial abundance. Not sure what to eat in Ecuador? Start with Llapingachos, Encebollado, Higos con Queso and Bolón de Verde. Here are 9 authentic Ecuador recipes, each from a specific region, with cultural context and dietary substitutions for every table.
9 recipes
LlapingachosPichincha (Andes), Ecuador · medium · 1 hGolden potato patties with melting cheese centers, griddled and served with peanut sauce and pickled onions.
Llapingachos Bolón de VerdePichincha (Andes), Ecuador · medium · 35 minA ball of mashed green plantain stuffed with cheese, pan-crisped golden, the filling coastal breakfast of Ecuador.
EncebolladoPichincha (Andes), Ecuador · easy · 50 minA brothy tuna-and-cassava soup topped with a tangle of pickled red onion, Ecuador's midday cure-all.
Higos con QuesoPichincha (Andes), Ecuador · easy · 1 h 45 minWhole figs slow-cooked in dark panela syrup and served with a slice of fresh cheese, an Ecuadorian classic.
Locro de Papa (Potato and Cheese Soup)Pichincha (Andes), Ecuador · easy · 50 minA thick, golden Andean potato soup enriched with milk and fresh cheese, served with avocado and cilantro.
Seco de Pollo (Chicken Stew)Pichincha (Andes), Ecuador · medium · 1 h 20 minChicken braised slowly in a sauce of tomato, onion, peppers, cilantro and beer until tender and glossy, served over rice.
Empanadas de Viento (Ecuadorian Fried Cheese Empanadas)Pichincha (Andes), Ecuador · medium · 1 h 30 minPuffy fried half-moons of buttery dough filled with fresh cheese and chopped white onion, dusted with sugar while hot so every bite is salty and sweet.
Ceviche de Camarón (Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche)Pichincha (Andes), Ecuador · easy · 1 h 35 minBriefly poached shrimp in a cold, soupy marinade of lime and orange juice, tomato, red onion, cilantro and a little of their own broth, served with plantain chips, toasted corn and popcorn.
Menestra de Lentejas (Ecuadorian Lentil Stew)Pichincha (Andes), Ecuador · easy · 1 hLentils simmered thick in a refrito of onion, pepper, tomato, garlic, cumin and achiote, the menestra that sits beside rice, grilled beef and patacones on Ecuador's everyday lunch plate.
📋 Teaching Ecuador?A free, printable Country of the Week guide for the classroom: geography, a kid-friendly recipe, and discussion prompts.
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