Chile: Solar Cooking in The Elqui Valley of Northern Chile

In northern Chile’s Elqui Valley, there are around 300 cloudless, sun filled days a year.

Experimental cooking harnessing the solar resource in the valley began in the late 1980s through a project led by the University of Chile. 

The project's aim was to reduce reliance on firewood and improve rural livelihoods.

Many of the local women embraced the idea, opening restaurants that serve local cuisine using only solar power to cook their meals.

The solar ovens are simple devices made with reflective panels, glass lids, and insulated boxes that trap heat from the sun.

By late morning the ovens are hot enough to bake bread, simmer stews and roast meats.

The process is slow and gentle, like a natural slow cooker powered entirely by daylight.

In the small village of Villaseca, near Vicuña, restaurants line the roads with rows of ovens, all angled toward the sun. 

While we were waiting for our lunch one of the cooks was changing the rotation of the ovens as the sun moved overhead.

I could hear the kettle boiling as I walked by.

What started as an experiment in the 1980's has became both businesses and a way of life for locals. 

Kudos to John for discovering this little gem!

The expert food taster is chuffed.