Pepián de pava is a traditional turkey dish mostly associated with the Peruvian city of Trujillo. The turkey is usually cut into sizable portions and seasoned with a variety of aromatic spices and herbs. What sets pepián de pava apart is its rich, thick sauce.
The sauce often includes roasted peanuts and/or sesame seeds that are ground into a paste, combined with chili peppers, and then mixed with the turkey stock. This results in a creamy, nutty, and spicy flavor profile. The seasoned turkey pieces are simmered in the sauce until they become tender and fully imbued with the flavors of the sauce.