Guatitas ([little] guts or [little] bellies, from ; "Gut/Belly"), or guatitas criollas, is a popular dish in Ecuador, where it is considered a national dish, and in Chile. It is essentially a stew whose main ingredient is pieces of tripe (cow stomach), known locally as "guatitas". The tripe is cleaned several times in a lemon-juice brine, after which it is cooked for a long time until the meat is tender. Then it is allowed to cool and finely chopped. There are various vegetarian versions of the dish in which wheat gluten is substituted for tripe. Other variations use strong-tasting fish such as tuna. The traditional Ecuadorian recipe is served hot and accompanied by potatoes and a peanut sauce.

The dish is often considered an acquired taste. Because of its strong taste, it is sometimes served in small quantities.

Guatitas

In Ecuador, it is believed that guatita helps relieve hangover symptoms. For this reason, it is often served by restaurants early on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Guatitas

Related dishes

Mexico: Pancita, mondongo

Colombia: Mondongo antioqueño

Peru: Cau Cau a la limeña

Panama: Mondongo a la culona

Chile: Chupe de guatitas, guatitas a la jardinera

Argentina: Mondongo rioplatense

Paraguay: Seco de mondongo

Ecuador: Caldo de mondongo

Spain: Callos

Dominican Republic: Mondongo

See also

List of Ecuadorian dishes and foods

List of stews

References

Ecuadorian cuisine

Chilean cuisine

Stews

Offal

Beef dishes

National dishes

Guatitas