| Argentina is South America's second largest | | | | cheese, are also an Argentine favorite. They |
| country, snugly situated between the Andes | | | | are commonly served in Argentine restaurants, |
| mountain range, the Pacific Ocean, and the | | | | and are national favorites. Empanadas are |
| South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, | | | | normally eaten baked or fried, and are often |
| Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile. Being situated in | | | | served at parties or festivals as appetizers. |
| such a manner, Argentina is exposed to many | | | | The dessert version of an empanada usually |
| different cultural influences from all | | | | consists of brown sugar or fruit such as |
| directions, including countries all the way | | | | apples or oranges. |
| across the Pacific. Spain took it upon | | | | |
| themselves to permanently settle in the | | | | In smaller cities, the foreign influences of |
| country in the late 1500s, and remained there | | | | Spain and Italy are less apparent. |
| until Buenos Aires formally emancipated | | | | Milanese's, thin slivers of meat dipped in |
| themselves in 1853. One of the most | | | | eggs, bread crumbs, and then fried in oil, |
| remarkable differences between Argentine | | | | are common fare in the rural areas of |
| Cuisine and exotic cuisines from around the | | | | Argentina. Their simplicity makes them great |
| world is the heavy influence that the cuisine | | | | snacks, but they can also be served as part |
| of the Italian and Spanish cultures had on | | | | of a meal piping hot served with mashed |
| it. | | | | potatoes, or between two slices of bread as a |
| | | | sandwich. |
| Startlingly enough, due to the influence of | | | | |
| the Italian culture on the country of | | | | The master chefs are more apt to return to |
| Argentina, Italian food staples such as | | | | the more classic, provincial style of |
| lasagna, pizza, pasta, and ravioli are | | | | preparing and cooking food, which bears more |
| commonly seen on the Argentine table, at | | | | of a resemblance to Mexican cuisine than that |
| least in the country's major cities. | | | | of Italy. Bolder, more intense spices are |
| Unusually enough (when it comes to Italian | | | | used. Calling forth once more the Spanish |
| food), white bread is also common, as are | | | | influences in Argentina, Argentine cooks are |
| side dishes made of vegetables native to | | | | famous for their tortillas; unlike the |
| Argentina, such as potatoes, eggplants, | | | | Mexican version of the tortilla the |
| squash, cucumbers, and zucchini. | | | | Argentines use potato dough, in contrast to |
| | | | the traditional Mexican corn or flour |
| Argentina is also one of the world's leading | | | | tortilla. |
| producers of milk, wheat, corn, and meat | | | | |
| (including, but not limited to beef, goat | | | | Desserts are more popular in these areas, as |
| meat, pork, and lamb) so naturally, these | | | | well. Dulcet de lecher (which roughly |
| things are very common in the Argentine dish. | | | | translates into "Milk Jam"), a sweet pudding |
| Argentine dishes are normally very high in | | | | of sugar and milk, is a popular dessert in |
| protein, so grilled meats are commonly seen | | | | Argentina. This lightly brown-colored pudding |
| on a plate of Argentine food. | | | | is eaten alone, or stuffed in cakes or pies. |
| | | | Sometimes the treat is also crystallized into |
| Empanadas, pastries stuffed with meat or | | | | a solid wafer-like candy substance. |