Carbonada Criolla

Carbonada Criolla, Argentinian Beef Stew celebrates the colors and flavors of Argentina. Carbonada is  made with beef, vegetables potatoes, and dried fruit. This dish has it all: texture, flavor, spices and a little sweetness, making each bite an adventure for our taste buds.

This recipe from Argentina and Uruguay is prepared throughout the country’s regions, particularly in the winter. It's a sweet-and-savory dish that always includes stewed beef; onion; tomatoes; fresh starchy vegetables like corn, squash, or sweet potatoes; and the unusual addition of fruit such as peaches (canned in the colder months), pears, or grapes.

In Argentina, much of people traditionally prepare carbonada inside a whole pumpkin. The contents are added and the whole pumpkin is baked in the oven or over hot coals. The most important component beyond the flavors is the soupy nature. If the liquid disappears, it’s not truly Carbonada.