This traditional recipe comes from the Andean region of Argentina where vizcacha, a small wild rodent, is occasionally used as a game meat by local communities. Escabeche is a classic preservation method prevalent through Spanish-influenced cultures, relying on vinegar and spices to marinate and pickle meat. The escabeche marinade balances tangy vinegar, aromatic garlic, and spices like bay leaves and black pepper. The meat is seared first for a rich caramelized flavor, then gently simmered for tender succulence.
The dish beautifully showcases indigenous resourcefulness, using local game and preservation methods, melding Spanish culinary influences into Argentine rural tradition.
This escabeche highlights the unusual use of vizcacha, said to have sweet, lean meat, showcasing culinary creativity that honors both seasonality and heritage.
Creating Escabeche de Vizcacha transcends cooking—it's preserving a patch of Argentina's natural and cultural essence in a bowl.