The Urban Foodie: Market curiosities

Friday, 5 June 2009

Market curiosities

Two weeks have passed since I was last at the market in Guatemala City, so I decided to pay another visit to nose around and perhaps spot things I might have missed on my first outing. My enthusiasm was curbed this time by a minor bout of sickness, which made me sensitive to the crowds and smells, which were at times pretty unforgiving.
So despite the assault on my senses, I still found some gems amongst the market glistening like jewels in the morning sun. First up were tomatoes the size of pearls, so decorative and pretty, pretty enough even to grace the slate platters of the world's three Michelen starred restaurants so perfect they were in form and flavour. Next were a type of Chilli Pepper, similar to the Scotch Bonnet and equally as fiery. Then I saw Tamarillo, which you seldom find in the UK - but something I have acquired a taste for. Lastly were Sapote, something again I have never seen before and native to Guatemala, and as luck would have it, my bravery for trying out these new delicacies was significantly diminished, so notes on flavours to be published later.

4 comments:

David Hall said...: Steven is back! Good to catch up and good to see you back and enjoying life. This looks bloody amazing I have to say! What an adventure. Lucky you. My travelling days are over! Looking forward to reading about ya adventures Steven, Cheers David; 16 June 2009 at 17:17
Steve Wallis said...: Thanks David - great to hear from you! Glad you are trailblazing and doing such fantastic work yourself.
Talk very soon my friend, Steve.; 16 June 2009 at 17:21
Speedy said...: Sapote (Pouteria sapota), I'd have to say tastes somewhat like baked sweet potato ( the orange ones) but a little more moist, and quite a bit sweeter.
the also have a slight spiceiness like a hint ov cinnamon and vanilla.
They're great made into milkshakes or icecream, or just fresh.
There is also another related fruit from guatemala, the Green sapote (P.viride) smaller and finer textured. the tree is slightly more tolerant of cool weather.
Delicious.; 15 November 2009 at 04:05
Unknown said...: The Sapote is also found in the Dominican Republic and in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico it is called Mamey. I always thought it tasted a little like brown sugar, but it's been a while since I've eaten one.; 29 September 2010 at 21:37

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MUSINGS AND QUOTES ON FOOD

"My weaknesses have always been food and men, in that order."

Dolly Parton

"Fish, to taste right, must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine."

Polish Proverb

"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."

P.J. O'Rourke

"An empty belly is the best cook."

Estonian Proverb

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James Beard

"The smell and taste of things remain poised a long time, like souls, ready to remind us...."
Marcel Proust

"When the girl returned, some hours later, she carried a tray, with a cup of fragrant tea steaming on it; and a plate piled up with very hot buttered toast, cut thick, very brown on both sides, with the butter running through the holes in it in great golden drops, like honey from the honeycomb. The smell of that buttered toast simply talked to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cosy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one's ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender, of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries."
The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

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Unknown

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Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet

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Miss Piggy, Diva.

"The squid is so cooperative. Its body forms a tube that can be stuffed with marvelous fillings. You don't have to be Greek to enjoy this one. "
Jeff Smith, The Frugal Gourmet

"The joys of the table belong equally to all ages, conditions, countries and times; they mix with all other pleasures, and remain the last to console us for their loss."
Jean Antheleme Brillet-Savarin, The Physiology of Taste