Unsatisfactory dinner parties & Some Good Street Food from Panama 
A very good friend reminded me how unsatisfactory dinner parties could be and the cause of much grief. She told me how upset a few guests were at a dinner they attended during the carnival days here in the city. The problem, she said, was the eccentricity of the dishes which were not catered to the crowd. Anyhow, it reminded me of the following quote:
They make a rare Soop they call Pepper-Pot; its an excellent Breakfast for a Salamander, or a good preparative for a Mountebanks Agent, who Eats Fire one day, that he may get better Victuals the next. Three Spoonfuls so Inflam'd my Mouth, that had I devour'd a Peck of Horse-Radish, and Drank after it a Gallon of Brandy and Gunpowder, I could not have been more importunate for a Drop of Water to cool my Tongue. (Edward Ward 1667-1731)
That being said, let me show you what I found the other day while visiting La Chorrera, a city 30 minutes from Panama City, during their annual State fair.
I normally go there during the last days to purchase organic roses and orchids, as they have an array of "viveros" or greenhouses just for the event, AND...during those last days they offer better prices. For example, here in the city the orchids are sold for $25.00 US, at the state fair the same ones are sold for $15.00 each and the last day you can get them for $10.00! The roses and other flowers /plants are very inexpensive there, you can get them for $1.00 - $8.00 according to the size.
I remember four streets full of little improvised restaurants or "fondas" and many people walking selling their goodies too. The offering was mostly regional food, the kind that is prepared in the countryside with all the spices and traditional methods they have been using for decades.
In the photo to the left, the sign of the vendor reads "Rey del Tasajo." Tasajo is a kind of smoked seasoned meat, which is air-dried, then heated in the grill and sliced. It is served with boiled or fried yuca (cassava) or patacones (fried plantain).
Chorizos are a well loved item in the "street food" category. Nothing fancy here, just the freshest specimens from the heart of the criollos.
This vendor sells two types of chorizo, tasajo (smoked meat), grilled chicken, freshly made hamburgers and "bollos de maiz"
All kinds of tropical fruit to take home and freshly made fruit salads. Yum!
Of course they had candied apple. When was the last time you had one?
For more photos visit My Flickr. Have a tasty week!
Melissa
- by Chef Melissa
- February 21, 2007
- 1:33 pm
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Comentarios
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Recetas Deliciosas
- Delicias en Phyllo: Deditos de Almendra y Pepitas de Marañon
- Del Mar a su Mesa: Camarones con Queso Feta y Salsa de Tomate Fresca
- Mystical Travels through the World of Food, Wine, and a delicious recipe to prepare Roasted Chicken!
- Madrid Fusion, Happy Birthday and a recipe to prepare “Turron de Pepita para fiestas!”
- La Receta del Dia: Pan de Fresas (Strawberry Bread)
- La Receta del Dia: Keki de Coco y Miel (de Panama)
- Para preparar y disfrutar en familia: Licor Casero de Limón
- Fish Fillets with Hot Buttered Garlic Sauce & Vegetables
- Galletitas Festivas: Galletas de melaza decoradas con royal icing
- A Lost Art, Global Voices, & Huevitos de leche re-visited
Comments
02.23.07 at 12:30 PM |
Pero que rico tu blog¡¡¡ Que calido, fresco y agradable se parece a tu Panama.
Ven a Venezuela y probaras los mejores patacones de tu vida jajaja.
Me ha gustado mucho tu blog..volvere.. I promise
——-
02.23.07 at 12:42 PM |
Hola Consuelo! que honor que nos visites. Descubrí tu blog hace unos días cuando Maria Luisa-Milsabores me envió el link de la bebida esa de culebra ciega. Ella sabe que me intrigan esos asuntos
Estamos en contacto!
M
02.24.07 at 05:25 AM |
I really like thoose fairs. I can spend hours just walking around and diving in to different kinds of exciting food.
02.26.07 at 10:56 PM |
The fair looks like it was a lot of fun! And the food makes my mouth water! I also love the updated look of your site! How have you been? I’m getting ready for my wedding in April, too bad you can’t come cook for all of us! Haha. Take care and God bless!
02.27.07 at 08:28 AM |
Thank you Hoppman! there is always something interesting to see, and eat, of course
Yovanna, great to see you! Wow, yes, your wedding…I bet you are really excited about it, and all the cooking! Oh, it will be lots of fun.
Un abrazo,
M
03.13.07 at 03:51 PM |
He comido bastante platanos fritos en Latina America (son una de mis comidas preferidas), pero nunca he probado patacones. Tienes receta?
03.14.07 at 01:00 PM |
Necesito la receta para los porotos con jamon ahumado
03.17.07 at 11:34 AM |
Sijbrich, seguramente los has comido bajo otro nombre! Creo que en Ecuador les dicen “verdes” y en Puerto Rico les llaman “tostones”. De igual forma publicaré sobre como prepararlos. Que tengas un lindo fin de semana
Melissa
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