Chile's winter shrimp harvest revives Itata and Ñuble tradition

During the winter rains in central‑southern Chile, families in the Itata and Ñuble provinces gather to extract the native “camarón de vega” (Parastacus pugnax) from flooded underground galleries. Using traditional “máquinas camaroneras,” they pull water from deep tunnels where the crustacean lives, often working at night when the shrimp rise to the surface. After collection, the shrimp are boiled and shared in communal meals, a practice that links generations and preserves rural knowledge.

The activity, rooted in the region’s agricultural heritage, has grown in popularity in recent years, becoming both a seasonal culinary event and a cultural celebration that highlights the resilience of local communities amid cold, wet weather.