Third Annual Festival de la Trucha This Saturday at Parque San Sebastian

Trout Is Taking Over Parque San Sebastian

Mark your Saturday morning: the Third Annual Festival de la Trucha is happening at Parque San Sebastian on Saturday, April 4, starting at 9:00 AM. If you love fresh fish -- or if you've been meaning to try Ecuador's beloved mountain trout -- this is your event.

What Is Trucha, Exactly?

For expats who haven't encountered it yet: trucha is rainbow trout, and it's one of the signature proteins of highland Ecuador. Trout farms dot the rivers and streams of the Azuay highlands, and the fish has become deeply embedded in local cuisine. You'll find it on menus everywhere from tiny almuerzo spots to upscale restaurants.

The fish thrives in the cold, clean mountain rivers and spring-fed ponds above 2,000 meters, which is why it's such a natural fit for the Cuenca region. If you've had trout in North America or Europe, Ecuadorian trucha will taste familiar but with its own character -- the altitude, the water, and the local preparation styles all make a difference.

What to Expect

This is the third edition of the festival, which means the organizers have had two years to refine the format. Here's what's on tap:

• 18 chefs preparing trout specialties -- that's a serious lineup. Expect everything from traditional pan-fried trucha with patacones to more creative preparations: ceviche de trucha, trucha al horno, trucha in coconut sauce, smoked trout, trucha empanadas, and more
• Dance performances throughout the day featuring traditional and contemporary groups
• Live music on the main stage in the park
• The atmosphere of Parque San Sebastian itself -- one of Cuenca's most charming plazas, right next to the Museo de Arte Moderno. It's a beautiful setting for a food festival

Timing and Semana Santa

The festival falls on Semana Santa weekend (Holy Week), which makes it a perfect complement to the religious and cultural events happening across Cuenca. After the solemnity of Good Friday on April 3, Saturday offers a lighter, more festive energy -- and what better way to spend it than eating trout in a beautiful park?

Many Ecuadorians traditionally avoid red meat during Semana Santa, making fish the protein of choice for the holiday weekend. The Festival de la Trucha fits perfectly into that tradition.

What This Means for Expats

• Saturday, April 4, starting 9:00 AM at Parque San Sebastian. The park is in the historic center, right next to the Museo de Arte Moderno. Easy to reach on foot from anywhere in Centro
• Come hungry. With 18 chefs competing, you'll want to sample multiple dishes. Consider going with friends so you can share and try more
• Bring cash. Food festival vendors almost never accept card payments. Small bills are ideal -- don't show up with only $50 or $100 bills
• Get there earlier rather than later. Food festivals in Cuenca tend to sell through their best items by early afternoon. The freshest preparations and the full menu from each chef will be available in the morning and around lunchtime
• If you've never had trucha, this is the best possible introduction. Instead of ordering one dish at one restaurant, you can sample multiple chefs' interpretations in a single morning. You'll quickly figure out how you like it best
• Combine it with other Semana Santa activities. The church illuminations are running nightly through April 5, and various processions happen throughout the weekend. A morning at the trout festival followed by an evening walk through the illuminated churches makes for a great day
• Parking in Centro will be challenging during a holiday weekend with a festival. Walk, take a taxi, or use the tram

Eighteen chefs, one amazing ingredient, and a gorgeous park. See you Saturday morning.

Source: Expreso