Also called "Causa a la Limeña" or just "Causa," it is a typical dish that even has hypotheses regarding its name. On one side, some claim it derives from the Quechua word "Kawsay," which translates to something like "necessary sustenance" or "what feeds," similar to how the potato was referred to.
Why that name?
On the other hand, some historians suggest that its name is linked to Peru's wartime conflicts, during a time when the liberator José de San Martín decided to promote the sale of this dish to support the "cause." It makes sense, doesn't it?
Similarly, a third group believes it was indeed named so because it was meant to help with the cause, but in this case, as a patriotic dish sold by street vendors.
A bit of history
As mentioned during the explanation of the reasons why it received its name, during wartime, one of the positive outcomes was the creation of this dish.
It was developed by Peruvian women who wanted to do their part in the face of what was approaching. They organized a collection of food, which included peas, corn, potatoes, carrots, among other ingredients.
Faced with all these ingredients, they decided to create a new dish that could be sold and help cover expenses at that time.
But what they didn't imagine was that it would become so popular, to the point of becoming one of Peru’s culinary icons.
