Tuna Causa Recipe (Jack Alalú)

29/08/24 | Recept | Peru

Today id like to present a classic “Limeño” dish called causa.

Peruvian Causa is more than just a dish; it holds a rich history tied to Peru's fight for independence. The name "Causa," meaning "cause," reflects its role in supporting the independence movement. Originally, it was a simple meal of layered mashed potatoes, seasoned with lime juice and aji amarillo, providing sustenance to soldiers and citizens. Women, driven by the desire for freedom, sold this dish on the streets, shouting "Por la causa" to raise funds for the army.

Over time, Causa evolved, incorporating ingredients like avocado, olive oil, and occasionally tuna or chicken salads, while maintaining its core of seasoned mashed potatoes. It became a unifying meal, prepared in large quantities to feed communities, symbolizing the collective effort for independence. Today, Causa stands as a proud emblem of Peru's national identity, embodying the resilience and creativity of its people. It's a cherished part of Peruvian cuisine, representing both historical hardships and the enduring spirit of unity.

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Ingredients for 5 persones:

1/4 cup of oil
1/4 cup of olives
2 lemons (lemon juice)
1 tablespoon of fresh yellow chili (ají amarillo) paste or ground
2 cups of mayonnaise
1/2 kilogram of fresh tuna or 2 cans of tuna in oil
1/2 red onion, diced
2 boiled eggs
1 kilogram of yellow potatoes
Tomatoes, diced
2 avocados
Salt and pepper, to taste
Strips of bell pepper and parsley for decoration

Instructions:

1) Boil the potatoes and mash them, seasoning with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and ají.

2) Mix the tuna with mayonnaise, lemon juice and diced onion.

3) Spread the mashed potatoes on a thin plastic sheet. Add layers of tuna, tomatoes, and avocado slices. Roll it up like a jelly roll.

4) Refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove the plastic and place it on a serving dish. Decorate with parsley, chopped olives, diced boiled eggs, avocado slices (with a bit of lemon to prevent browning), and optionally, a bit of mayonnaise and strips of bell pepper.

5) Serve and enjoy your Peruvian Tuna Causa! Enjoy making and eating this classic Peruvian dish, Tuna Causa!

Jack Alalú

Hi! I'm Jack Alalu. I'm an artist and IT professional, living in the Czech Republic for the past three years. I was born in Lima, Peru, to a family that emigrated from Eastern Europe as well as having Turkish roots.

I've lived in many places, spending much of my early youth in Canada, where I completed my graduate studies and fell in love with the North American lifestyle, resources, education, and culture. Despite this, I was always drawn to Europe, inspired by my favorite European artists. South America often felt unstable to me, which reinforced my desire to live elsewhere. After years of traveling, I met my partner, Lucie, in Jerusalem. She’s from Prague, and we decided to move to Europe, partly due to the instability in the Middle East and partly out of my curiosity about the continent.

Moving to Prague was challenging—the language is difficult, and the cultural differences are stark—but the warmth of the people eventually made us feel at home. Despite the challenges, Prague is a beautiful city, and it’s worth the effort to learn and become part of the culture. Now, we’re living here happily with our beautiful child.