Kivevé

The most famous vegetarian dish in Paraguay is undoubtedly kivevé. This traditional dish is made with the most popular ingredients in Paraguay: pumpkin, cornmeal, and fresh cheese. It has an unusual light red color and a creamy texture, similar to polenta. The dish is not classified as sweet or savory, but rather lies somewhere in between. Usually, it is served as a side dish, especially when complementing traditional Paraguayan barbecues, but due to its slightly sweet flavor, it can be modified and served as a dessert. Sometimes, it can even be consumed as a light vegetarian main meal. The dish appeared in the 19th century during a time of hardship for the Paraguayans. It soon became famous because it was rich in calories and protein and used traditional ingredients which could be found in any Paraguayan household. However, even though humble in ingredients, kivevé is extremely rich in flavor, and soon after its origin, it became one of the most popular meals among Paraguayans. Today, it is considered a true symbol of Paraguayan culinary tradition and one of the national dishes of the country.