Unknown Porophyllum : Zacapapaloquilitl.
also – Tzacapapaloquilitl m. (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Philippines, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua) : Herb, pasture, forage (2) Tiene raiz ramificada, de donde echa tallos delgados, verdes y de dos cuartas, hojas muy delgadas y largas, y flores azules llenas de pelos blancos y que se deshacen en vilanos. Es de naturaleza fria y humeda, y presta los auxilios que le son propios de cualquier … Continue reading Unknown Porophyllum : Zacapapaloquilitl.
Papaloquelite : Chaoacocopin
Chaoacocopin has been previously noted as one of the common names of Papaloquelite (Porophyllum macrocephalum) (1). I have come across this plant in an old text and would like to delve a little more deeply into this particular pore leaf (P.macrocephalum is most definitely my favourite pore leaf so far. I am however waiting to get the chance to grow some of the narrow leaved … Continue reading Papaloquelite : Chaoacocopin
Flor de Jamaica : A Confusion of Hibisci*
*Hibiscuses? (both are valid it seems) A vital component of medicinal herbalism is knowing EXACTLY what plant you are using. This is extremely important if you are taking the plant internally. Knowing a plant with 100% certainty is the equivalent of knowing the difference between milk and orange juice when you go to the fridge. If you don’t know the plant with this level of … Continue reading Flor de Jamaica : A Confusion of Hibisci*
Green Rice : Arroz Verde
When you think of rice in Mexican cuisine it is often as rice, beans and tortillas. Rice, beans and tortillas are often the only foods available to the poorest (financially speaking) people in México (1). Rice (Oryza sativa) is considered to have reached the New World via two main means. Initially it was introduced by Spanish colonists through the port of Vera Cruz, probably in … Continue reading Green Rice : Arroz Verde
Papaloquelite : The Butterfly Herb* (salsa recipe included)
*See Post : Papaloquelite : What’s in a name? Why “butterfly” herb? papalotl.Principal English Translation:a butterfly (see Molina and Karttunen); also, a person’s name (attested as male and possibly female) Alonso de Molina:papalotl. mariposa.Alonso de Molina, Vocabulario en lengua castellana y mexicana y mexicana y castellana, 1571, part 2, Nahuatl to Spanish, f. 79v. col. 2. Thanks to Joe Campbell for providing the transcription. Frances … Continue reading Papaloquelite : The Butterfly Herb* (salsa recipe included)
Salsas verde.
Cover Photo : by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels That’s right. Not just ONE salsa verde but MANY salsas verde (or would that be salsa verdes?) This all started with a papalo based recipe involving baked potatoes. I feel that I must mention again my love for the quelites (papalo in particular) and all the wild green leafies in general. The Irishman in me has a … Continue reading Salsas verde.
Celebrity Tequila. Cultural Appropriation? Gentrification?
The author has not received (nor sought) any funding from any of the brands noted in this Post. Any opinions are solely those of the author. The world’s first celebrity tequila is said to have begun with a People magazine article from December 1983 showing the nuptials of rocker Keith Richards and model Patti Hansen at the Finisterra Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Back … Continue reading Celebrity Tequila. Cultural Appropriation? Gentrification?
Atole de Grano
Cover image : atole street vendor atole (Spanish) from atolli : a beverage made from finely ground maize, mixed with water. “a gruel made of maize, which they call atolli . . . agreeable, harmless, and provides a pleasant and healthy food . . . for those suffering from a hot, dry fever; it calms the chest, is very nutritious, strengthens and fattens the emaciated, … Continue reading Atole de Grano
Prehispanic Veganismo – The Tlaltequeada
A tlaltequeada is a kind of vegetable based rissole (1) typically made with vegetables, fruits, flowers and seeds. It is the perfect example of a quilitl (quelite) based dish and it could be argued that it is representative of a vegetable based cuisine as it would have been practised by prehispanic Mesoamericans. rissoles are what an Australian might call meat patties that include some grated … Continue reading Prehispanic Veganismo – The Tlaltequeada
Alfajores
This is just a quick entry. One of my regulars, a delightful Peruvian woman by the name of Lyda, dropped by today to give me some of her alfajores as a Christmas gift. Lyda is a naturopath/nurse who came to Australia a few decades ago. Joyous Yuletide. An alfajor (plural alfajores) is a traditional sweet biscuit.. In South America alfajores are found most notably in … Continue reading Alfajores
Masa Americana 