Valdiviano facts for kids

Charquicán is a similar Chilean dish.

Valdiviano is a traditional Chilean dish. It is a hearty soup made mainly with charqui (which is a type of dried meat, also known as jerky) and onions. The name "Valdiviano" also refers to people who live in the city of Valdivia, Chile. This tasty soup is often served hot, especially during colder weather.

What is Valdiviano?

Valdiviano is a warm and comforting stew. It is a main course, meaning it can be a full meal on its own. The main ingredients are dried meat, onions, and various spices. These spices often include parsley, oregano, cumin, and chili. It's a simple dish but full of flavor.

How Valdiviano Started

The story of Valdiviano goes back a long time. In 1598, there was a big event called the Disaster of Curalaba. After this, Spanish soldiers lost a lot of their land in Chile. The city of Valdivia became one of the last places the Spanish held onto.

Soldiers in Valdivia were cut off from other areas. They mostly got supplies of jerky, which is dried meat. This jerky came from central Chile. Imagine eating the same thing every day! The soldiers got tired of it. So, they got creative. They started mixing the jerky with other ingredients they had. This is how they created the Valdiviano soup. It was a way to make their meals more interesting and tasty.

What Goes Into Valdiviano?

The main ingredients for Valdiviano are:

• Charqui (dried meat)
• Cooking oil
• Onions
• Parsley
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Chili

Modern Ways to Make Valdiviano

Today, people sometimes change the recipe a bit. Instead of using traditional charqui, some modern versions use minced meat. This is similar to how another Chilean dish, Charquicán, is made. Others might use leftover pieces of meat from a barbecue. This shows how traditional recipes can change over time.

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In Spanish: Valdiviano para niños