The Lima-style cause or simply "cause" is a traditional dish basically prepared with two types of mashed potatoes: yellow potatoes and yellow chili, with an intermediate filling that is usually tuna or chicken, mayonnaise, and avocado, often accompanied by hard-boiled egg and olives.
The history of the cause
Although it is a classic in restaurants and homes throughout Peru, there are those of us who do not know the full story of this dish and the origin of its name.
Peru is home to thousands of potato varieties, which is why ancient indigenous peoples living in the area used this tuber in many of their recipes.
Since those times, it is believed that a dish similar to the cause was already made, but it reached its peak when the Spaniards arrived and it was gradually transformed into a version more similar to today’s.
The origin of the name
Some versions say that its name comes from a Quechua word called "kawsay," which means "nourishment" or "what feeds." However, the most widespread etymology is linked to events that occurred at the end of the 19th century during the War of the Pacific, which involved Peru and Bolivia against Chile.
It is said that the soldiers' wives prepared this dish and sold it to raise funds to help their country succeed, so anyone who bought it was helping "the cause."
Some also mention that this had happened before during the independence war.
The Lima-style cause is often filled with chicken or tuna, though there are variations with shrimp, crab meat, or trout.
The traditional dough is made with yellow chili and yellow potatoes with lime juice, but some places add yuca (cassava).
