Mmmmmm – Delicious!

Tags

Achojcha, Almuerzo, biche, Bolones, Chifles, Culinary Specialties of Manabi Ecuador, encebollado, Food of Manabi, Jake's Sunday Post Delicious, Lobster, popcorn soup, pureed carrot soup, quinoa, quinoa crisps, Quinouli, Shrimp Harvest, torta de pescado, Viche

Colorful, Healthy and Delicious – Potatoes, Carrots, Lemons, Peppers, Naranjillas, Achojcha, Tomatoes, Camote, Garlic, Onions, Tomate Arbol, Broccoli

MANABI, ECUADOR –  While recently fighting a three-week perpetual cough, I lost my normally-healthy appetite.  The past few days have found my strength returning, and my taste buds are suddenly screaming for attention!  Jake’s Sunday Post has given me a great opportunity to tease my appetite back to normal!

Viche – Not to be confused with Ceviche!

The province of Manabi Ecuador is known for its culinary specialties.  Viche, sometimes spelled, Biche, soothes the palate with a pureed peanut based fish and lemon juice stock.  Packed with fresh in-season vegetables, shrimp and/or fish, viche also comes with green-plantain ”balls” that patiently wait to be discovered at the bottom of the bowl!   The customary garnish of cilantro adds color and flavor!  Almost always, fresh lemon juice and aji (hot sauce) are served on the side.

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Creative Cooking & Cursing Computers!

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Achojcha, Computer frustrations, Experience Ecuador, February 2012 Manabi flooding, Lentil Burgers, Naranjilla, Sarah Dettman, Tomate Arbol

 (Pictured above:  Parsley, New Zealand Spinach, Potatoes, Carrots, Pineapple, Limons, Green Peppers, Tomatillos, Achojcha, Tomatoes, Tomate de Arbol, Sweet Potatoes, Celery, Garlic (from Chile), Red Onions, Broccoli – all for ten dollars and some change!)

The devil surely has his fingers in the computer world!  True to my recent statement, “It’s not what one has planned for the day,” this week brought computer demons that altered my priorities!   An ultra-sluggish Windows 7 system refused to upload any information, my computer challenged my competitive spirit, and I was determined to wrestle it back into submission.

..When All Else Fails... (Probably 30 attempts to upload this before it worked!)

This problem happens only

Achojcha, Where Have You Been All My Life?!

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Achojcha, Caigua, Cyclanthera pedata, Ecuador cuisine, mango camote salad, quinoa, Stuffing Cucumber

After finishing a painting session today, I prepared a chicken for the crock pot, then took a long leisurely walk to Playamart.  I needed to restock my supply of beach rocks!

Returning home,  I washed the latest Playamart treasures then painted a handful of new rocks.  I returned to the kitchen to prepare stuffed achojcha.  How could I have spent so much time in this country and be just now discovering this incredible vegetable?! (This past week, achojchas cost ten cents each at the local market.)

ACHOJCHA CON POLLO, QUINOA Y MOZZARELLA  

What’s Cooking? Achojcha (Cyclanthera pedata)

Tags

Achojcha, Caigua, Ecuador cuisine, Stuffing Cucumber

A new vegetable recently caught my eye at Maria’s sidewalk market.  Light green and slightly ribbed, it was extremely lightweight and hollow.   “Que es esto?”  I asked Maria, who was helping several shoppers.

“Achocha,” she replied then resumed weighing vegetables.

Left to ponder the unusual vegetable, I inspected the display, sniffed the achochas, rattled one,  tossed it into the air, caught it,  then added two more to my selection.  Why not try this curious new vegetable?