Ocopa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ocopa

Plate of ocopa
Place of origin	Peru
Region or state	Arequipa
Main ingredients	sun-dried chilis, onions, and cracker meal

Ocopa is a creamy, flavorful sauce from Peru. It comes from the city of Arequipa. This special sauce is often served warm over boiled potatoes. You can also use it as a topping for cold hard-boiled eggs. Ocopa gets its unique taste from sun-dried yellow chilis and cooked onions and garlic. It becomes thick with the help of animal crackers and roasted peanuts.

What is Ocopa?

Ocopa is a traditional Peruvian sauce. It is known for its smooth texture and rich flavor. The sauce is a popular dish in the Arequipa region. It is often enjoyed as a main course or a side dish.

Key Ingredients of Ocopa

The main ingredients for Ocopa give it a special taste. These include yellow peppers and mirasol peppers. Both are first seared without their seeds. Onions and garlic are also cooked until soft.

Other important ingredients are:

• Evaporated milk
• Fresh cheese
• Crackers
• Peanuts
• Huacatay (a type of black mint)
• Salt and oil

How Ocopa is Made

All the ingredients for Ocopa are ground together. Traditionally, this was done using a special grinding stone called a fulling mill. Today, most people use a blender. The goal is to create a slightly thick, pasty sauce. It has a unique color from the yellow peppers and huacatay.

How to Serve Ocopa

Ocopa is usually served with hard-boiled eggs and a black olive. In Arequipa, it is commonly paired with boiled potatoes. Sometimes, it is even served with shrimp. It is a delicious and filling meal.

See also

• In Spanish: Ocopa para niños