Chayote Mexican Squash

The Internet Archive at Archive.org features an old book, The Chayote: A Tropical Vegetable, that details the characteristics and properties of the tropical vine and squash native to Mexico and the Caribbean, citing documentation by Australians, Spaniards, and other Europeans who arrived in the New World during the early colonial Continue Reading →

Sarsaparilla Root Beverage

Sarsaparilla: an old-fashioned beverage made from the root of a tropical vine. Sarsaparilla is a climbing plant native to tropical America; Mexico, Honduras, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Jamaica are important sarsaparilla-producing countries. According to Medicinal Plants of Tropical and Subtropical Regions, a book that is found on-line in the Continue Reading →

Pomegranates: Nature’s Other Red Gems

The pomegranate is one of the most visually striking and intriguing of fruits. It is featured in recipes for Chiles en Nogada, a traditional recipe served during Mexico’s Independence celebrations in September, which tie in with the pomegranate harvest season. Recent studies indicate that pomegranates are heart healthy additions to Continue Reading →

Curcumin, or Turmeric

About turmeric, and a quick turmeric golden milk recipe The healing and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric have been making a big, orange splash on the Internet and in the press recently. Turmeric is that bright-orange spice that forms one of the basic ingredients of curry and gives it a deep Continue Reading →

Typical Dishes of Guerrero

The typical dishes of the state of Guerrero, Mexico, center unsurprisingly around the regional agricultural staples: corn, beans, tomatoes, squash, and chiles. Indigenous animals that were used for food before the arrival of the Europeans, some of which are still common in the local cuisine today, include wild turkeys, armadillos, Continue Reading →