Soyo (Paraguay) facts for kids

Soyo is a yummy and thick soup from Paraguay. It's made with meat that's crushed into a paste, then mixed with tasty spices and fresh vegetables. This soup is a big part of traditional Paraguayan food. Like many hearty meals, it gives you lots of energy! Even though it used to be seen as a simple meal, Soyo is now super popular with everyone in Paraguay.

What Does Soyo Mean?

The name "Soyo" comes from the Guaraní language. It's a shorter way of saying "so'o josopy." In Guaraní, "so'o" means "meat," and "josopyré" means "crushed." So, "Soyo" literally means "crushed meat."

Sometimes, if the meat isn't crushed but cut into small pieces and boiled, it's called "so'o josopy ita'y." This version is often seen as less flavorful than the original crushed meat soup.

What's in Soyo?

The classic Soyo recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients. You'll need:

• Crushed meat
• Cold water
• Rice
• Oil or grease
• Onion
• Sweet red pepper
• Tomato
• Scallion (green onion)
• A little bit of flour
• Salt
• Oregano
• Parsley

How to Make Soyo

Making "so'o josopy" is a fun process! Here are the steps:

• Prepare the Meat and Rice: First, the meat and rice are either crushed using a special tool called a mortar, or they are ground up in a blender. You want them to become a smooth paste.
• Mix with Water: Put this paste into a bowl. Add cold water and stir it well until everything is mixed.
• Chop the Veggies: Next, chop up the vegetables you want to use for flavor. This usually includes onion, tomato, sweet red pepper, and scallion.
• Cook the Veggies: Put the chopped vegetables into a saucepan with hot oil. Cook them until they are soft.
• Combine and Cook: Add the flour to the cooked vegetables and mix it in. Then, add the meat, rice, and water mixture to the saucepan. Stir everything continuously. Keep stirring until the soup starts to boil.
• Season It: Finally, add salt, oregano, and parsley to taste.
• Make it Thicker: If you want your Soyo to be even thicker, you can put it back into a blender for a short time.

gn:So'o josopy

See also

In Spanish: Soyo para niños