The Peruvian street food consisting of grilled beef heart skewers marinated in vinegar and spices is anticuchos.
Traditional anticuchos de corazón use pieces of beef heart marinated with vinegar, garlic, cumin, salt, and ají peppers such as ají panca. The pieces are threaded onto skewers and grilled over charcoal, producing a smoky exterior while keeping the meat flavorful and tender when properly prepared.
The dish has pre-Columbian roots in the Andes and changed during the colonial period. European ingredients such as garlic were incorporated, and beef replaced meats including llama in many preparations. Anticuchos became especially associated with Afro-Peruvian cooking and remain a beloved food sold by street vendors and at festivals.
Anticuchos are often served with a boiled potato, corn, or a spicy sauce. The name refers specifically to skewered meat, so it is not interchangeable with ceviche, which is raw seafood cured in citrus, or lomo saltado, a stir-fried beef dish.