Do you have a Latin Market in your town?
I bet you do. Have you been?
From fresh tortillas to dried hibiscus flowers, there are so many things I buy exclusively at our local Latin markets (we’re lucky enough to have several). I know, I know one more trip to the grocery store is probably the last thing you want to do (unless you’re like me and find grocery shopping actually fun) but the prepared food section in most Latin markets is reason enough to make the extra trip—pick up some groceries and a kick-ass burrito for dinner!
I really could go on forever about the gorgeous array of produce, ceviches, marinated meats, and fresh cheeses you can find at a well-stocked Latin market. Below are just a hint of what I buy on any given week.
Some other favorites not pictured are fresh lard (invaluable for making tamales, pie crust, frying stuff), masa preparada for making homemade tamales or masa sin preparar for tortillas, dried chiles, plantains, Topo Chico, pan dulce, bolillos, key limes, the list goes on and on.
Let the treasure hunt begin!
Fresh Tortillas
Even if your market doesn’t make their own, chances are good that they have them made fresh daily exclusively for their store. There is nothing like picking up a package of tortillas and they are still warm to the touch. Look for other varieties of corn tortillas too; white and yellow are pretty common but look for blue corn tortillas, they are especially magical.
I think we all know what to do with fresh tortillas but for a few new ideas try: 3 Ingredient Pork Flautas, Smoky Chicken Tacos with Mango Pico de Gallo, Black Bean Enchiladas with Pipián Verde.
photo by The Gracious Wife
Piloncillo
Piloncillo is pure, unrefined raw sugar that has been formed into cones and has the caramel notes of brown sugar but without the molasses. Try it this Easter in this Pineapple and Pecan Capirotada, a rich Mexican-style bread pudding.
Other baking items to look for at the Latin market: soft sticks of Mexican cinnamon called canela, Abuelita Mexican chocolate, and cajeta (Mexican goat’s milk caramel).
Flor de Jamaica {Dried Hibiscus Flowers}
These burgundy red flowers have such a unique, special flavor. They are tannic and floral and are used in everything from tea to mole sauce. Rehydrated they make their own filling for enchiladas and tacos.
Agua de Jamaica, a fruity sweetened tea is probably the most well-known recipe using jamaica flowers but I love these Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamiaca Mole when you really want to impress.
Fresh Garbanzo Beans
These are the delicate and delicious raw versions of the dried or canned chick peas you are familiar with. They are best charred, skin and all, on the comal, with a little butter and salt and then the beans are finagled out with your teeth edamame style—a street snack eaten in Mexico AND Israel!
Try them in this Chili-Lime Broiled Salmon Salad.
Prickly Pears
Also goes by the name of cactus fruit, tunas, or cactus pear. They are juicy and tart with soft black seeds and vibrant magenta color.
You can peel them (carefully as some still have the spines intact) and eat them raw or try them in this Raspberry-Prickly Pear Agua Fresca, a vibrant sweet-tart drink.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Are you a Latin market fanatic? What do you exclusively purchase at your local Latin grocery store?
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