Merkén is made from sun-dried cacho de cabra chilies smoked over a wood fire, then ground with toasted coriander seed and salt — a Mapuche technique now sold in jars across Chile.
Grilled pork sausage is dusted with merkén, the smoked-chili-and-coriander seasoning native to the region, and served in a bread roll from grill carts at Araucanía's weekend markets. The smokiness comes through in every bite.