Aji (food)
Encyclopedia
Aji is a spicy sauce that often contains tomatoes, cilantro, hot peppers (aji)
, and onions. Recipes vary dramatically from table to table, depending on the preference of the chef. Aji has been used in Peru since the times of the Incas, who called it uchu.
In Colombia
and Ecuador
, for example, food is traditionally mild
, so aji can be added to almost any dish. It usually accompanies other foods such as Chugchucaras
or Empanadas.
In Chile
there is a similar variety of the condiment known as Ají Chileno, that differs with the additional ingredient of lemon juice.
Ají pepper
Capsicum baccatum is a species of chili pepper that includes the following cultivar and varieties:*Aji amarillo, or amarillo chili*Peppadew*Lemon drop*Bishop's Crown*Brazilian Starfish*Wild Baccatum-Origins and distribution:The C...
, and onions. Recipes vary dramatically from table to table, depending on the preference of the chef. Aji has been used in Peru since the times of the Incas, who called it uchu.
In Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, for example, food is traditionally mild
Mild
Mild may mean:*Mild ale, often simply referred to as mild, from the Old English milde, meaning "young" or "immature"*Håkan Mild , Swedish former footballer and current director of sports of IFK Göteborg...
, so aji can be added to almost any dish. It usually accompanies other foods such as Chugchucaras
Chugchucaras
Chugchucaras is the local delicacy of Latacunga, Ecuador, and the surrounding area. Chugchucaras consists of deep fried pork, mote , potatoes, fried plantains, empanadas, popcorn, and pork rinds...
or Empanadas.
In Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
there is a similar variety of the condiment known as Ají Chileno, that differs with the additional ingredient of lemon juice.