Curanto is a traditional dish from the southern regions of Chile, including the Chiloé archipelago, which can also be enjoyed in Puerto Chacabuco. It is a dish made with seafood, meat, potatoes and other ingredients that are cooked in an underground oven called a curanto.To prepare curanto, a hole is dug in the ground and a fire is lit inside. Hot stones are placed on top and covered with nalca leaves (a local plant), where the various ingredients are placed in layers: clams, mussels, octopus, pork, beef and chicken, along with potatoes, onions and peppers. Everything is covered with more nalca leaves and left to cook for several hours.The curanto is then served accompanied by sauces, salads and local drinks such as beer and wine.In addition to curanto, other local dishes can be enjoyed in Puerto Chacabuco, such as pastel de choclo (a savory corn cake), pil-pil cod (cooked with garlic, chili, and olive oil), and completo (hot dog with all the ingredients, including avocado).
