Peruvian salchipapa, once known as «picada», is one of Peru’s most popular fast foods: golden, crispy fries with pieces of fried sausage, served with sauces such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and ají.
It is quick and simple to make: the potatoes are fried in plenty of oil while the sausages fry in another skillet, and both are served together right away so they stay crispy.
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Peruvian Salchipapa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Peruvian
Description
Peruvian preparation featuring potatoes and sausage, adapted for a home kitchen with clear measurements.
Ingredients
For the salchipapa
- 4 large white potatoes
- 4 frankfurter-style sausages (beef, pork, or chicken)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Salt, to taste
- Parsley leaves, for garnish
For serving
- Ketchup, to taste
- Mustard, to taste
- Mayonnaise, to taste
- Peruvian chicken-shop ají sauce (ají de pollería), to taste
Preparation
- Cut the potatoes, peel them, cut them into sticks, and place them on paper towels to absorb the moisture.
- Fry the potatoes, heat plenty of oil in a skillet, fry the potato sticks until well browned, drain them on paper towels, and season with salt.
- Fry the sausages, cut them on the diagonal into pieces about 3 cm long and, at the same time, fry them in another skillet with a teaspoon of oil until browned.
- Serve, combine the fries and sausages and serve right away with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and ají de pollería. Garnish with parsley leaves.
Chef’s Tips
- Use white potatoes, the best choice for this recipe.
- Dry the potato sticks well with paper towels before frying so they turn out crispy.
- Cut the potatoes the same thickness so they fry evenly.
- Serve right away so the salchipapa keeps its just-made texture.
Traditional Variations
The so-called salchipapa especial also includes a fried egg, chorizo, and a slice of Edam cheese. There are also versions where the potatoes are replaced with sweet potato or yuca.
How to Serve
Serve hot, freshly fried, with each person’s choice of sauces. For a more complete meal, add a fresh salad on the side.
Recommended Pairings
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Ají de pollería
- Fresh salad
Did You Know?
Before it was called salchipapa, this Lima street food was known as «picada». Today it is one of Peru’s most representative fast-food dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a very popular fast food in Peru that combines french fries with pieces of fried sausage, served with sauces such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and ají de pollería.
Frankfurter-style sausages made from beef, pork, or chicken are typical, cut on the diagonal into pieces and fried until browned.
The classic choices are ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and ají de pollería; other sauces, such as rocoto cream or salsa golf, are also common depending on personal taste.
