Día de la Independencia del Perú - Peru's Independence Day

Fiestas Patrias Peru

In 1532, the Spaniards led by Francisco Pizarro landed on the coast of Peru. Pizzaro conquered the empire with fewer than 200 men and 60 horses in search of gold and silver. Spain then ruled Peru for almost 300 years.  Lima became the capital of Viceroyalty.  (Viceroyalty – an historical area ruled by a viceroy on behalf of a monarch.)  Lima grew as most people worked in the area and all goods had to be sent to or from Spain via Lima.  In 1780, the Viceroyalty began to lose power with the Tupa Amaru II rebellion. The American Revolution in 1776 and the French in 1789 gave the Peruvians hope for independence.  Two soldiers helped drive the Spaniards out – Simón Bolívar, a Venezuelan and José
 de San Martín, an Argentinean. They attacked Lima from the sea and declared July 28, 1821 Independence Day!

Peru is the third largest country in South America after Brazil and Argentina. Peruvian culture is a mix of Spanish, Indian, African and other European descendants, as well as Chinese and Japanese. You will find this fusion in the food, music and colorful clothing.  People travel to see the Andes Mountains and the diversity of geography – coast, highlands and rain forest.  The variety of landscapes makes Peru one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. The Inca farmers worked on terraces cut into the hillsides of Cusco, southeast of Lima, the capital of Peru.  Today farms dot the landscape all over Peru. The most popular crops then, still are today - potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, quinoa, kiwicha aka amaranth, peppers and squash.   Peruvian food has gained popularity beyond its coast and borders because famous chefs such as Gastón Acurio, have restaurants in nine countries, a culinary school and a television show.  Additionally, Food and Wine’s Best New Chefs 2011 - Ricardo Zarate was born in Lima, Peru and owns Mo-Chica in Los Angeles, CA.  Chef Zarate’s favorite ingredient is Aji Amarillo, as noted in the July 2011 issue of Food and Wine.   Availability of Peruvian flours, grains, beans, spices and sauces can now be found throughout North America thanks to small scale producers of all natural cultural foods and importers like Zócalo Gourmet.  The recent rise of people  being diagnosed with Celiac Disease and consuming a Gluten Free diet has also made naturally Gluten Free products from Peru very popular.  Zócalo Gourmet products - Kañiwa grain and Pussac Punay Beans - were recently sofi Award finalists at the NASFT Summer Fancy Food Show.

So how do Peruvians celebrate Peruvian Independence Day?
Día de la Independencia del Perú is a 2 day celebration
July 28 – Honors José de San Martín
July 29 – Honors Armed Forces and National Police

Peruvians hang their flag of red and white colors at the beginning of July. All homes and public places of business display the Peruvian flag. They decorate homes and businesses with red and white. At dawn on July 28, a 21 cannon salute begins the flag ceremony, festivities and Te Deum Mass.

Parades fill the day on July 29 and afterwards people gather to eat their favorite Peruvian foods while dining out to support the local businesses.  Favorite foods include foods grown from the land.  The most popular are the Chifas - Chinese influenced foods.   Lomo Saltado – strips of beef steak stir-fried with potato wedges, onions,  tomato and Aji Amarillo, then flavored with Soy Sauce (Gluten Free Soy Sauce can be used if you want to make your own), garlic and cilantro – served Chinese style with rice on the side.  Chifa is also more affordable for most families or anyone seeking a meal for a few dollars and can be found on every street in Peru.  Inca Kola, bubble gum-like flavor, is also a favorite soda drink that is a must with Chifas.  Inca Kola is made with Hierba Luisa, an herb grown in Peru.  It has been said that Chifa is not Chifa without Inca Kola.   Other popular chifas are Arroz Chaufa  – stir-fried rice with chicken or pork and vegetables.  Arroz Aeropuerto aka Airport Rice is a rice mix of tallarines or noodles with arroz chaufa - fried rice.  Another very popular tradition is Ceviche - a fresh seafood dish that is cooked with citrus acid such as lime or orange and red onion served chilled with avocado.



Celebrations are also sweetened by dessert cookies called Alfajores – caramel sandwich cookies,  Mazamorra Morada – Purple Corn Rice Pudding made with pineapple and quince and drinks also made with Purple Corn - Chicha Morada.
Please look at our website for more information about buying our imported products and our blog for recipes to celebrate everyday Peruvian style!

Happy Peruvian Independence Day!
 ¡Feliz día de Independencia del Perú!