High in the Andes of Peru and Chile most corn and beans would not grow because of the cold and short growing season, The main staple grown by the Incas and Indians was the potato. There are many varieties which come from this area such as the white potato and the purple. However, potatoes are a starch and do not provide all the needed nutrients that our diet requires. The Indians grew a sturdy plant called Quinoa (Keen-wa). This plant grows well at high altitudes and produces small seeds. These seeds are not a grain. but are for culinary' use. We place it in the same class as potatoes since it is used as a starch. Quinoa is very rich in protein and was used by the Incas to supplement their diet. The Incas also grew pumpkins and squash. These were not just grown for the flesh but also for the flavorful seeds. which were toasted and ground to make flat breads.

Beans were also grown. such as the lima bean which was named after the capital of Peru. Lima beans are to this day a very important staple. There are many different types, some of which grow to the size of a pocket watch and are dried and ground for flour. Wheat does not grow well in the northern parts of South America. Both the Spanish and Portuguese. being of the Catholic religion. needed wheat to make the hosts which they served at mass. The priests used a product that the natives grew and used to make a flat bread. It was manioc, a root vegetable that was used by the natives in the jungle of the Amazon Basin.

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