Cultural exchanges in other countries always involves a introduction to different style of eating or food groups that don't exist in your home country. Coming to Argentina, I didn't expect many challenges with the food groups as I am fairly familiar with Latin American food. I did expect something similiar to Mexico, with delicious beans, savory sauces and spicy meats. However, I was a bit disappointed at the lack of spice and flavour in the Argentine diet. The food's flavour is very palatable for a North American palette, but not as exciting for someone used to jalapeno and habanero peppers and curries as a dietary staple.

So I decided to share with you the major food groups in the Argentine diet. First of all, vegetables and fruits are not part of the diet of the Argentine people, and are served as rare treats to break up the boredom of the daily meal or grudgingly to foreigners who feel the need to incorporate them into their diet.
So here goes:
Argentine food group number one: Beef
Argentina first rose to world prominence as a major if not the major world exporter of beef. However, as their economic prowess has faded and beef exports are no longer enough to maintain the nation's past brilliance, beef remains still the number one food group of the Argentine family. Despite not being a beef eater, I have sampled the different manifestations of beef served here in Buenos Aires, and it is pretty good. If I was not afraid of 5 pounds of undigested beef being removed from my body 50 years hence, I would probably enjoy it more.




Argentine food group number two: Empanadas
Empanadas are a Latin American staple, and can be found in various configurations around the region. The Argentine version comes in the standard fried or baked form, with the baked version being more prominent. The major types of Argentine empanadas are Ham and Cheese, chicken (my favourite), beef and vegetable. There also exist various specialty types as well depending on where you buy them. They are an excellent snack that is served at all ocassions from birthdays to board meetings.



Argentine food group number three: Pizza
Argentina was orignally colonized by the Spanish, occupied by the British and retaken by the Spanish yet again. However, over the last century or two, a significant influx of Italian immigrants made their way to South America. As a result a significant impact on Argentine culture and food is owed to the thousands of Italian emigres who made the shores of the Rio Plata their home. Pizza is EVERYWHERE in Buenos Aires, and all types are served. The standard pepperoni and mozzarella is basic fare, with Argentine specialties such as fuggazella: a pizza made solely of cheese and loads of onions. Like the empanadas, the pizza is delicious but gets a bit boring after a while.



Argentine food group number four: Dulce de Leche
Many of us are familiar with Dulce de Leche as a flavour of Haagen Dazs ice cream that is to die for. Well lovers of that flavour would literally die of pleasure here in Argentina. Dulce de Leche is an ubiguitous part of Argentine daily meals. It is spread liberally and literally on everything one could possibly conceive of. Breakfasts in Buenos Aires consist of cafe con leche with medialunas (a sweet form of croissant) or facturas (basically sweet danish pastries). Dulce de Leche is then dropped into the coffe and spread on top of the medialunas or facturas - or in some cases they come stuffed with it. For lunch or dinner you can have as a dessert light pancakes stuffed again with Dulce de Leche. As well there exists a store here in Buenos Aires that sells only the odd combination of Dulce de Leche and cheese. Where I come from we only use Dulce de Leche for cake frosting, but who knew there were so many other uses for it?



Argentine food group number five: Pumpkin
I know I said that the Argentines do not eat any vegetables, but I forgot about the ever present pumpkin, or calabaza as it is called here. In North America, the pumpkin is a vegetable that normally only revels in its popularity in the autumn where it's use at Halloween and Thanksgiving make it the star vegetable for two to three months. In Argentina, however, pumpkin is king. It is served mostly pureed as an alternative to mashed potatoes. However it can aslo be found in stews, steamed or served in a variety of other configurations. Needless to say, if you are a vegetarian get used to a lot of calabaza in your future.



Argentine food group number six: American Fast Food
Eating healthily in Argentina is a challenge most days. Food group number six does not help the search for healthy options. Buenos Aires probably has more McDonald's and Burger King's per square mile. They are everywhere and are 5 star restaurants in comparison to their North American versions. People will indulge in American fast food religiously despite the health offending results. Such food is deemed a luxury as a result of its price and is treated as a status symbol of consumption. One Burger King in Buenos Aires, on Avenide Florida is housed in an old Argentine palace...making it truly the king of burgers.



Argentine food group number seven: Milanesas
Although made of beef, the milanesa deserves its separate food group. Comparable to its cousin the German schnitzel, the milanesa is a beaten slice of beef that once tenderized (technically) is breaded and fried. The resulting golden brown cutlet is then served with a side of puree de calabaza, french fries or served as a sandwich in a white bread roll. Food group number seven is absolutely delicious and addictive. I live a few blocks away from a 24 hour Milanesa restaurant, and often indulge in a milanesa with egg, ham, and cheese at 6 in the morning.

Although not an exhaustive list, the aforementioned foods represent a typical daily sample of the Argentine diet, at least in Buenos Aires. Needless to say I am not starving, but neither am I eating well. However, each day I walk on average 13 km (according to my pedometer) so I am managing to keep the bulge in abeyance.