Living in Cancun and Playa del Carmen for 6 months, August 2020 to February 2021, has been a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the culture and life of Mexico. The local produce and markets are colorful and vibrant.
Agua de jamaica, or “hibiscus water,” is a typical agua fresca to accompany the daily meal in Mexico. Hibiscus flowers, or flor de jamaica, are steeped in water and then sweetened with sugar. Tomatoes, lime, and avocado in the background are the makings for guacamole.Nopal, cactus leaves, is eaten throughout Mexico as a side dish or in tacos. It has the crunch of green beans but is more sour. At the grocery stores, the nopal leaves are cleaned of the thorns and ready to be cooked.Tamarind pods. Tamarind paste is a common ingredient in Mexican candies. It is also often seasoned with chili powder and sugar and is used as a coating around hard candies. Tamarind has a sweet and sour taste.Pumpkin is often cooked in guisos, or soup with meat, vegetables, and broth. Check out their size! Mango, jicama, and plantain are locally grown and common ingredients.The markets offer comida corrida, or meal (comida) on the run (corrida), and meal sets that include rice or beans, meat or fish, and dessert of flan or watermelon.Chicken shops (pollerias) sell charcoal-roasted chicken (pollos asados al carbon).Pork rinds (chicharrones) are favorite snacks. With the pandemic, there are advisory signs of safe-distancing and mask-wearing precautions, including this one posted on the snack cart. Peppers, marigold, plantains, and eggs at a local marketPigeons, chicken, and birds for salePiñatas are popular for birthdays, special events, and holidays. Mr. Sweet (Don Golosina) promises “the sweetest of prices” (el mas dulce de los precios).Ice cream (helados) and banana split are served.Hammocks serve as beds to keep cool during the hot summer days.Peddlers sell chips, fried rings, and coconut to candies and corn.Local restaurant serve trite, fish soup, chicken, beef steak, and ceviche. The bright pink and blue colors for the chairs, tables, and tiles are common in Mexican decor. At a restaurant, guacamole is made at the table with tomato, cilantro, onion, lime, and salt.
This is the just the start of what Mexican food and culture have to offer. A reliance on local foods and traditional recipes makes for dishes that are modest in the best way with an unassuming depth of flavor in its rich bean dishes, tangy condiments, and spicy chilies, along with the omnipresence of chicken and corn.
