The “Huatia” is also a Peruvian Pachamanca, but from the Cuzco Region of the Andes. It’s design is different, as it is built as a dome using rocks and dirt, but above the earth.
The rocks are used as a “dome” support, and the holes are filled-in with dirt to fully encapsulate and insulate the cooking chamber. Volcanic rocks are carefully chosen in the build and placed so as to construct a “dome.” The voids are filled with dirt, then a fire is started inside the “dome.” At the appropriate time, the dome is designed to collapse either on its own by fire consumption, or by assisting it’s fall. Finally, after sufficient time to insure thorough cooking, the food is then dug out and readied for eating.
This cooking method works great with the Earth Oven, especially in hard terrain where digging a pit may be difficult. A “Huatia Dome” can be built around the outside of the Earth Oven with rocks and dirt until the “oven’s” perimeter is covered close to the top, providing insulation from the surrounding earth, making for one great Huatia!
This “dome,” or “Huatia” method also work’s well in windy conditions.