Sunday, March 17, 2013

Chapulines?


Chapulines?

Yes, Jane and I sampled them and pronounced them edible.

They are exactly what they look like:  insects. Fried crispy and salted, they are available for fifteen Mexican pesos a cup. The flavor is distinct. I could make a meal of them if driven by hunger.


On a recent visit to Oxkutzcab, chapulines were for sale in the central plaza. The furthest bucket contains chapulines, next roasted peanuts mixed with squash seeds, and closest are mandarin oranges coated with a thick layer of sugar.  Lime juice, salt, and hot sauce are offered at no extra charge.



According to Wikipedia, chapulines, plural for chapulín, are grasshoppers that are commonly eaten in certain areas of Mexico. The term is specific to Mexico and is from the Natuatl, the indigenous language of that region.

They are collected only at certain times of year (from their hatching in early May through the late summer/early autumn). After being thoroughly cleaned and washed, they are toasted on a comal (clay cooking surface) with garlic, lime juice and salt containing extract of agave worms, lending a sour-spicy-salty taste to the finished product. Sometimes the grasshoppers are also toasted with chili, although it can be used to cover up for stale chapulines.

One of the regions of Mexico where chapulines are most widely consumed is Oaxaca where they are sold as snacks at local sports events and are becoming a revival among foodies. It's debated how long chapulines have been a food source in Oaxaca. There is one reference to grasshoppers that are eaten in early records of the Spanish conquest, in early to mid 16th century.



Health risks

Chapulines must be very well cooked prior to consumption, because, as with other grasshoppers, they may carry nematodes that can infest humans.



Read more about Mexico’s fascinating world of exotic eating experiences that tourists miss most in the books: Yucatán’s Magic, Mérida Side Trips and Yucatan for Travelers – Side Trips: Valladolid to Tulum, available in paperback and digital editions worldwide.


Sunday, March 3, 2013

Side Streets of Valladolid, Yucatan


Side streets of Valladolid are quiet and interesting for bicycle excursions. You can rent a bicycle or bring your own.
We always travel with our folding bicycles, which easily stow in the luggage compartment of the bus, or inside or on the roof of a colectivo taxi.
If your time in Valladolid is limited, bike to the municipal market or one or more of Valladolid’s five distinct neighborhoods, each with a historic church. 





Located in the village of Uayma, just a short bicycle ride from Vallodolid, is this beautiful church.









If you have half a day, consider biking to one or more of the nearby cenotes, villages, or to Ek Balam.  MexiGo tours is the place to rent a bike and do your own tour, or take one of their guided bicycle excursions. They also have excellent guided tours that visit points of interest at a sensible rate and in the comfort of an air conditioned van.


Toon, his wife Vivyana, and their guides have a wide range of language skills and are very well-informed on what to do and see in Valladolid and the area. MexiGo Tours (www.mexigotours.com) is located on Calle 43 No. 204-C, between Calle 40 and Calle 42, directly behind the big downtown church.
MexiGo Tours are the ones to ask about where to eat and accommodations…I assure you they will make certain you get the very best quality, location, and at prices you will like.




Special Treats in Valladolid
Longaniza de Valladolid, greased to kill spicy sausage, but irresistible and worth the risk.
Sosa Xtabentun is a sweet honey based liquor that originated here. Xtabentun can be purchased at Compañía Sosa located on Calle 42, No. 215, between Calle 47 and 49 in downtown Valladolid. 
Bizcochos, small bread sticks found in the bakery on the corner of Calle 39 and Calle 46 near the ADO bus terminal…knock-offs have become popular and are found all around Yucatan.
Tour guide books extensively describe Valladolid points of interest and the numerous hotels available. Our interest is showing you the other face of Yucatan; places away from tour buses and trinket shops, places that make you want to linger.
Discover more of Valladolid and places nearby:


Yucatan for Travelers -Side Trips: Valladolid to Tulum looks beyond the obvious popular tourist attractions, luxury coastal resorts, and the modern conveniences of big cities to discover the unique Yucatan. 
Valladolid is an excellently located colonial city steeped in history. Half way from Mérida, Cancun and Tulum, a diversity of spectacular side trips abound.
Yucatan for Travelers - Side Trips - Valladolid to Tulum is available in print and digital editions from Amazon.com. Digital editions are also available for NOOK and iBookstore.