Posted on 12/31/2011 8:49:01 AM PST by PJ-Comix
Paging Andrew Zimmern! Paging Andrew Zimmern!!!
You MUST visit San Cristobal and the surrounding region of the state of Tachira. I´m a big fan of ¨Bizzare Foods¨ and I believe the closest Zimmern has ever come to this area was Ecuador. Keep in mind that the state of Tachira was almost completely cut off from the rest of Venezuela until early in the 20th century due to the high mountains and lack of adequate roads. Therefore this region developed its own unique cuisine in isolation from the rest of the country. Access to these many foods is easy accessible at any of the many mountain roadside restaurants or street vendors.
Last evening we visited the mountain pueblo of Peribeca which had a small central plaza surrounded by Royal Palms and, across the street, a big church where a wedding was taking place. As to the interesting food we had something made from liquid corn flour called Cachabas. It is fried like an omelet and mine had ham and cheese inside. Of course, I fantasized being Andrew Zimmern commenting like this: ¨Cachabas have a rich raw earthy corn taste which is also quite sweet. The texture is reminiscent of omelets. And now to enjoy a fried catepillar.¨
Okay the last part was a joke but the food is no joke. Much of it is very different than what we eat in the states. Take Mora. It is a sweet purple juice but doesn´t really taste like grapes. Nor cranberry juice. Actually, it doesn´t taste like any other juice I have drunk previously so I can´t really describe it to you except to say I had seconds...and thirds.
Much of the food here is unprocessed which should interest the health food types. For dessert yesterday I had strawberries and cream. However, it was a type of cream I never tasted before since it is handmade with their own recipe. The taste and consistency was very different than what we are used to in the states.
One warning however. If you are on the dainty side the sight of whole hogs hanging outside restaurants and food stores could make you queasy. It didn´t bother me but imagine the reaction from the PETA types. Oh, and the cattle are almost all free ranging and grass eating. For those Americans who have only eaten corn fed factory cattle, free range grass fed cattle would be a new and pleasurable experience.
Another plus is the lack of any gangs or gang activity. The people here are very cleancut and the youth very respectful of their elders. However, this doesn´t mean the people are exactly goody two shoes types. Next to the church of Peribeca was a quaint alleyway full of small shops selling souvenirs. One of them was a clay guy with his face hidden by a sombrero. Writing on the sombrero encourages you to lift it up which I did to reveal a...tallywhacker.
As to situation deteriorates in Mexico with things getting better here sometime next year with the ¨biological solution¨ to many of their problems, I see the Tachira region here in the Andes becoming a big draw for American tourists. And if Andrew Zimmern needs guides to the food, I hereby volunteer myself and my wife´s cousin, Chile, who is like a Venezuelan Zorba the Greek.
p.s. Andrew, it sure as hell beats eating Sugar Cane Rats in Uganda or drinking cow urine in Goa.
FYI
A quick search yields Moro as a type of blood orange with purple flesh. The juice is also purple.
Thanx for the info. However it doesn´t taste like an orange. Actually it doesn´t taste like anything I had before so it is just something you have to try for yourself. I really liked it.
....but not nearly as good as eating an omelet made with rancid mystery meat (Morrocco).
--reminds me of the time in El Callao when I got to the pork market just as the pig's throat was being cut--
Blood orange has a berry-type flavor.
Never watched a show, and don’t know much at all about him except I’ve read he’s not the nicest guy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.