I love Andean popcorn. It’s somewhat similar to the popcorn we enjoy here in the states in that it has a fantastic flavor, even a hint of a butter. The kernels, though, are different. They do not explode and puff up like popcorn has been grown to do here. Instead, they kinda… just go… pop. No big explosion. No fluffy white insides. The kernel is thin, and very crunchy. You just pop (no pun intended) the entire thing into your mouth and enjoy.
I recall street vendors up in the mountains of Peru, in the city of Huancayo, selling bags of popcorn along the street on market day. I think a bag was 10 soles which then was less than a US nickel. Well worth the price! They were fried in screaming hot oil then salted. That’s it. You did (and do) have to be careful of the kernels when they first come out of the fryer, though. They are very, very hot. So let them cool a bit before diving in!
I popped the cancha in the same popper I use for ‘regular’ popcorn. It takes a bit longer as the heat needs to get really good and hot, but it’s well worth the wait. If you can’t find cancha in a South American market near you you can order it using the Amazon link at the bottom of this post. It’s great stuff!
Another favorite Peruvian-inspired appetizer of mine is aji amarillo chicken wings.
Andean Popcorn
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried cancha corn
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Add the corn and oil to your popcorn popper and let pop until completely done.
- Remove and immediately add salt. Do not be shy with the salt.
- Let cool slightly before serving. The kernels will be very hot directly out of the popper.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.
