5 Traditional Foods
You Have To Try in Córdoba

This is an extreme version of a steak sandwich – filled with thinly sliced lomo steak, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, mayonnaise, chimichurri sauce, ham, cheese, and a fried egg, sandwich de lomo or lomito is a behemoth of a sandwich that is sure to satiate even the hungriest consumers. However, this delicious sandwich is open to innovation – some might substitute the steak with pork, or put aubergine slices into it, along with any other ingredient that comes to mind. Popular both in Argentina and Uruguay, it can easily be found at numerous street carts dispersed throughout the metropolitan areas of both countries.Expand

Empanadas argentinas, or Argentinian empanadas, make up a group of traditional Argentinian pastries filled with a variety of ingredients, from meat to cheese and vegetables. Although they are mostly enjoyed in their savory form, there are sweet dessert varieties filled with ingredients such as dulce de leche and quince. The dough, typically made with wheat flour, is rolled thin and folded over a filling, and the resulting parcel is then baked or fried to golden perfection. Traditional empanadas often feature ingredients such as ground beef, onions, and spices, giving them a robust and savory flavor. Still, each region of Argentina boasts its own unique style and flavor profiles - small and spicy from Salta, large Mendoza-style ones with garlic and olives, ones from Cordillera with lamb, and so on. Empanadas argentinas are not just a culinary delight; they are also a cultural symbol (empanadas criollas have even been declared a Cultural Heritage of Food and Gastronomy by the Argentine Ministry of Culture). They are enjoyed as a quick snack, a light lunch, or a hearty dinner and are often served during parties and various festivities.Expand

Arabian empanadas are pretty different from traditional Argentine empanadas. They are shaped into a triangle, and a portion of the filling remains visible in the center of the empanada. The filling consists of ground beef or lamb, chopped red and green peppers, green onions, and tomatoes. It is typically flavored with oregano, chili powder, paprika, and black pepper. Interestingly, many people like to squeeze a bit of lemon juice in the center for an extra zing. As the name suggests, these empanadas are a result of Arabian influence, i.e., Arab immigrants moving to South America. They are said to originate from the Córdoba Province, although they are present in the entire country.Expand

Locro is a thick and nourishing stew which originated in South America, long before the arrival of Spanish conquistadores. This authentic and traditional stew has numerous varieties, but the most famous version is the Argentinian locro, mostly made with dry white corn kernels, meat, and vegetables. The dish usually consists of pork or beef cuts, as well as ribs or offal, while some versions might include sausages and smoked bacon. Other ingredients include dry corn kernels (hominy), various spices, and vegetables such as pumpkin, potatoes, and yams. It is believed that locro originated in the mountainous Andes region and that it was heavily influenced by culinary traditions of the indigenous Inca civilization. In Argentina, the dish is usually served on special occasions such as May Revolution Day or numerous formal gatherings, but it is also a staple meal during the harsh winter seasons. Locro is always served hot, with bread on the side, and is often topped with quiquirimichi - a traditional hot sauce. Although it is usually associated with Argentina and regarded as their national dish, different varieties of locro are popular in other South American countries, primarily Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru, where locro usually, but not always, denotes a soup, not a stew.Expand

Argentinian alfajores are sandwich cookies consisting of two round, crumbly sweet cookies with a dulce de leche or milk jam stuffing between them. The combination is then coated with a layer of chocolate or sprinkled with confectioners' sugar. The name alfajor stems from the Arabic word al-hasú, which means stuffed or filled. Although the cookies can be found throughout Latin America, they are originally from Andalusia, Spain. When the Spaniards came to America, they brought their foods and traditions along the way, and with time, almost every country in Latin America has adapted the Spanish alfajor to make it their own. In Argentina, you can find alfajores with different flavors of dulce de leche, like chocolate, vanilla or various fruits. They are also packaged in different shapes and sizes, and are usually enjoyed with tea or coffee.Expand