Tropical Shakes from South America (Well Fed Network article)

Posted on Jan 19 in fruit, Well Fed Networkby nikaPrint

Its that time again! Here is my monthly contribution to The Spirit World blog over at The Well Fed Network.

Tropical Shakes from South America (Well Fed Network article)

(Mora (Blackberry) Shake © 2007 Nika Boyce)

 

Without a doubt, January is a time of fighting the winter doldrums. Many across the northern tier states are having a wicked trying winter with unusual amounts of snow while we have been oddly warm but very dark and dreary with non-stop fog here in New England. For many of us, thinking of tropical climes can be a treacherous thing unless you have the means to jet off to the Caribbean, South America, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia or other reasonable locations.Without such options, I am left with a trip to my local Latino market to get a taste of my childhood. I remember visiting relatives in Colombia for Christmas and experiencing equatorial weather and foods. One refreshing sort of drink comes to mind: the fruit shakes made from tropical fruits (frescos de frutas) like guava, mangos, guanábana, and berries such as blackberries.In the parks of Pereira and on the coast of Colombia (cities like Cartagena, Santa Marta, Tolú, and Barranquilla), street vendors can be found whipping these drinks up to order. Back in the 60s, they would serve the shakes up in glasses that you would use and then give back to the vendor who would then rinse it out for the next patron. Its likely this has changed since then! Nearby, food vendors can be found selling things like empanadas, yucas fritas, chontaduros (roasted and salted acacia tree fruit, sort of tastes like chestnuts), candied fruits, and simply divine roasted ears of corn (mazorca asada).These frescos de frutas are not only rejuvenating, they are also loaded with Vitamin C and other antioxidants. You can make it like they do in Colombia (see below) or you can get creative and add your favorite smoothie amendments.
You can buy most of these as fruit pulps (stored in frozen packs) like you see below in your Latino grocery store.

(Fruit pulps © 2007 Nika Boyce)Mora Shake

* 1 14 oz. pack of Blackberry (Mora) fruit pulp – FROZEN (do not thaw)
* 1 C ice
* 1 C cold milk (do not use whole milk, this really wants 2% or 1%, skim would not hurt)
* 1/2 C sugar

Put fruit pulp, sugar, milk, and ice in blender and blend until well mixed. You may need to add a bit more milk to get the consistency you desire. You also might need to stop and open the blender a couple of times to force the unblended chunks down into the base for proper blending.

(Mora (Blackberry) Shake up close © 2007 Nika Boyce)I hope you take the time to hunt down some of these fruit pulps and give a try at making your own frescos. You can’t go wrong!

Related Posts:

• How-2 guide on how to make Platanos (fried plantains or tostones)
• Yucas Fritas (Fried Yucas or Cassava Root) Recipe and How 2 photos
• Empanadas – The Recipe
• Flash Flickr Movie of How to make Colombian Empanadas
• Chicharron – Deep fried pork belly – How To
• How to make Colombian Empanadas – directions
• Latest full recipe for Colombian Bunuelos (2006 post)
• Last year’s Christmas Bunuelo Decadence
• A Colombian breakfast How-2 guide
• Colombian Frescos

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4 Comments

• Homesick Texan says:

  January 19, 2007 at 10:59 am

  Yum. Looking at these gorgeous photos I can dream I’m in a warm, tropical place!

  Reply
• nika says:

  January 19, 2007 at 11:02 am

  We dream together! I am actually enjoying our snow today.. but I think I will whip up some of this later today

  Reply
• paty says:

  November 25, 2007 at 7:42 pm

  I loved your recipes….I am from Colombia, but was raised in the USA, but never learned all of this. Thank-you again

  Reply

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