Payagua Mascada

Payagua mascada means ‘chewed dog’ in Guaraní — an unglamorous name for one of Paraguay’s most beloved snacks. Grated mandioca is mixed with seasoned ground beef, garlic, and onion, then fried until the outside is shatteringly crisp and the inside stays moist and savory. They’re served with lemon and often a little salsa.

Grated cassava and beef, fried until craggy and crisp

The name may be odd, but the texture is pure genius: a craggy, crispy crust that crunches when you bite, giving way to a tender, juicy center of beef and soft cassava. A squeeze of lemon cuts the richness and makes them dangerously easy to keep eating.

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