Oaxaca - a foodie heaven

Oaxaca (pronounced wah-ha-kah) is a colourful and vibrant city, perfect especially for foodies. As soon as I got off the bus and started the walk to the hostel I could smell all kinds of delicious foods. There is a raw Latin American feeling here, it reminds me so much of Antigua in Guatemala and Granada or Leon in Nicaragua. With flags hanging over every single street and music on every corner, it's hard not to constantly have a smile on your face.

As predicted, I managed to find and eat recipes of TWO chapters from the A Level novel.

I'll start with Chapter 4, mole (mol-eh). Admittedly, not the one in the novel. But mole is not only traditionally Oaxaqueño (from Oaxaca) but also the national food of Mexico. Therefore, there are SO many to try. Oaxaca alone has 7 different variations. I tried the most traditional and basic of all, mole negro. The thing that struck me the most for a dish that is served with chicken and rice was that it was sweet! I'm not sure why I didn't expect this since the recipe clearly stated that chocolate is a key ingredient, cacao being native to this part of the world. But it was a bizarre experience for the senses. I'm not sure I would order it again or seek it out specifically, but I did enjoy it.

Then, Chapter 12, chiles en nogada. This is such a bizarre dish. Don't be fooled by the name - it's not spicy or hot - it's sweet! I'm noticing a pattern here. It's a giant pepper, filled with pork meat and dried fruit e.g. raisins, with a creamy and nutty sauce poured over the top with pomegranate seeds scattered over the top. All I can say is that although this dish was utterly delicious, it was the richest thing I've eaten since a blue cheese gnocchi 7 years ago in Italy. I managed about a third of it before I had to reluctantly give up.

A local delicacy which I have not yet tried (and I'm not sure if I will...) is crickets and grasshoppers marinated in garlic, salt and chilli powder! They are called chapulines and I am yet to be convinced!

I have a whole day here again tomorrow so I'm looking forward to seeing what other things I can find. A Mexican friend, Itzel, who works at the hostel has said she'll help me find a bakery that might have a wedding cake (pastel chabela a.k.a. Chapter 2) in the window so I can take a photo.