The 'Ruta de las Papas con Cuero' Returns This Weekend — 13 Vendors, 7 Markets, One Very Good Dish

What It Is

The second edition of the "Ruta de las Papas con Cuero de los Mercados" runs this weekend — April 27 and 28 — across seven of Cuenca's municipal markets.

Thirteen market vendors are participating, each serving their version of papas con cuero: potatoes slow-cooked with pork skin in a thick, rich broth. It's one of Cuenca's definitive comfort dishes — the kind of thing you either already love or haven't tried yet.

Diego Cedillo, Cuenca's Markets Director, said it well: "En los mercados se encuentra la gastronomía representativa y el sabor de los platos tradicionales está ligado al trabajo y dedicación de quienes los preparan." — The representative gastronomy lives in the markets, and the flavor of traditional dishes is tied to the work and dedication of the people who prepare them.

The Markets

Here's where to find the participating vendors:

• Mercado 9 de Octubre
• Mercado 10 de Agosto
• Mercado 12 de Abril
• Mercado 27 de Febrero
• Mercado 3 de Noviembre
• El Arenal
• Plataforma Valdiviezo

That's a solid cross-section of the city. If you've only ever been to 10 de Agosto or El Arenal, this is your excuse to explore.

The Competition

On May 2, gastronomy specialists from the Universidad de Cuenca will judge the entries and pick the best papas con cuero in the city.

Lorena Guillén from the Fundación Turismo para Cuenca stressed the route's tourism value — it's designed to be a cultural and gastronomic experience for both locals and international visitors.

What This Means for You

• This weekend, April 27–28. No tickets, no reservations. Just show up at any of the seven markets and order a plate.
• If you've never had papas con cuero, this is the ideal entry point — you're tasting from vendors who are competing to make the best version of the dish.
• Bring cash. Market vendors don't take cards.
• Go hungry. A proper bowl of papas con cuero is a full meal. Budget about $3–5 per plate depending on the market.
• Combine it with a market morning. Buy your week's produce, eat papas con cuero, leave happy.

Source: El Mercurio