Chivito (the
diminutive
A diminutive is a word obtained by modifying a root word to convey a slighter degree of its root meaning, either to convey the smallness of the object or quality named, or to convey a sense of intimacy or endearment, and sometimes to belittle s ...
of ''chivo'', "goat") is, in Argentina, a type of goat dish.
Argentine grilled meat
In Argentina, ''chivito'' is the grilled meat of a young
goat
The goat or domestic goat (''Capra hircus'') is a species of Caprinae, goat-antelope that is mostly kept as livestock. It was domesticated from the wild goat (''C. aegagrus'') of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. The goat is a member of the ...
eaten in
Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
, sometimes as part of an ''
asado''. ''Chivito'' differs from ''cabrito'' in that ''chivito'' is a slightly older animal with whose meat is less tender. A ''chivito'' has already begun to eat solid foods, whereas the ''cabrito'' is still a
suckling.
The ''chivito'' is less gamey and has a more delicate flavour than the adult goat. It can be cooked ''a la parrilla'' (
grilled) or ''a la cruz''. In the ''chivito a la cruz'', the ''chivito'' is affixed vertically to a cross which is driven into the ground near the fire, giving it a special flavour.
Every summer, a ''chivito'' festival is held in the town of
Malargüe in the
province of Mendoza, Argentina.
See also
*
List of goat dishes
References
Goat dishes
Barbecue
Argentine cuisine
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