It all started late last week with Alfajores, a specialty sweet from Argentina. Our dear friend Jessica's grandmother is visiting from Argentina and she arrived with lots of goodies, some of which Jessica has kindly shared with me. Alfajores are sandwich cookies (bigger than Oreos) made with cornstarch and held together by a layer of dulce de leche.
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| FROM ARGENTINA. |
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APPARENTLY, ALFAJORES ARE NOT ALWAYS COVERED IN CHOCOLATE.
BUT I'M NOT COMPLAINING. |
Tuesday, we took the bus to Torrox, a village in the foothills about an hour east of us, to visit with San Geraldo's cousins, Varin and daughter Berit, from Norway (more to come on that). We thought we'd go out to lunch but Vaarin decided we should instead enjoy a meal served on her roof terrace. It was a traditional Norwegian lunch — with a touch of Spain. Sparkling wine for starters. A great assortment for the middle. And persimmons and cherimoya for dessert. I had never before tasted cherimoya. Not a big fan, but it was worth a try. Berit told me they have a competition to see whose cherimoya contains the most seeds. Varin's had 15; Berits, 25; San Geraldo's, 21. I was the big winner with 29 seeds. I asked Berit what I won. "Oh, there's no prize," she said. "But you're the winner."
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SO GOOD. VAARIN JUST THROWS IN WHATEVER SHE HAS AROUND.
(SO NO RECIPE...) |
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| POTATOES AND STUFF. |
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| NORWEGIAN SALMON! |
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| EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD IBERIAN HAM. |
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| PERSIMMONS. |
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| THE REMAINS OF MY CHERIMOYA. |
My mood was kind of low Wednesday morning. So, knowing that a visit with Ana and family at the fruit market is guaranteed to brighten any day, I joined San Geraldo when he went shopping. Ana had fresh cherimoya for sale. We didn't buy any. But I visited with Ana and her son David and I went back home feeling loved and so grateful to know these wonderful people.
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| CHERIMOYA AT THE MARKET. |
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| ANA AND DAVID... SPANISH DELICIOUSNESS. |
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I TRIED TO GET A GOOD SHOT OF DAVID... I WASN'T SUCCESSFUL.
I TOLD HIM I WOULD CALL THIS PHOTO "BOND, JAMES BOND." |
And now I understand what Patti Lupone was really singing about: Alfajores!
Mitchell, your life looks delicious. :-)
ReplyDeletePearl
Pearl:
DeleteIf I stop and think about it, my life IS delicious... especially because I don't do the cooking.
Lovin' the David "Bond" photo!
ReplyDeleteDamien:
DeleteI have yet to get a good photo of David, but you get the idea.
First, thanks for the Patti, for a day without La LuPone is like a day without sunshine.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I giggled a bit because, scrolling down, it appeared that you were calling David "Spanish deliciousness."
And I quite agreed!
Bob:
DeleteAppeared? I was!
Great pictures. I'm learning that Argentina has great chocolate although I've yet to try any.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI saw Jessica this morning and she brought me two more alfajores. Come on over. I've still got one left.
You've brought us another edition of Food Porn :) Looks Tasty. What does the Cherimoya taste like, if there is anything remotely close?
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteJerry would describe chermioya as pudding-like and that fits exactly with my impression. It reminded me of tapioca (and I'm not a fan of tapioca). Jerry bought two cherimoya's today at Ana's market. He'll be enjoying them both by his lonesome.
You are one brave fellow, Mitchell, for trying all that 'strange' food!! I must say, I just HAVE to, that remains of your cherimoya looks just a little too similar to a seal flipper!! Had to get that out!
ReplyDeleteThe ones at the market look like a smooth artichoke, don't you think?
Somebody has eyes for somebody there.....
Jim:
DeleteA tapioca-flavored and -textured seal flipper. My first and last. Ana has the best (and best-looking) family!
Would you believe this is the first time I've ever heard Patti Lupone? Shame on me! Looks like a luscious lunch but a walk was definitely called for after.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your encouraging words Mitchell!
Jacqueline:
DeleteI'm shocked! I guess Patti Lupone hasn't made it to Indiana yet. I'll have to share some more of her videos. What a voice and what an actress! You would love her.
I thought I liked the photo of the eggs... But David best it...... He's a cutie
ReplyDeleteJohn:
DeleteI bet you'd even toss your Scotch Eggs aside for David.
"In olden days, this show was shocking
ReplyDelete'Cause Merman would keep 'em rocking
But now they phoooonnnne...
PATTI LuPONE!!!"
Sorry--my Forbidden Broadway is showing. :)
All of the food looks delicious, David looks a little wicked, and Patti is Patti. Love, love, love!
Michelle:
DeleteDavid groaned when I showed him that "Bond" photo. His sister is in England for 6 months and I told him I wanted to send her photos on Facebook. I promised I would send them privately so as not to embarrass him. Then I told him they WOULD be going on my blog. He just laughed. There doesn't appear to be anything wicked about David (but then his mother is always around when we see him).
The ham looks like prosciutto. I think I would be a frequent visitor to the market if that is what the scenery is like.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteFinely sliced Iberian ham is very similar in appearance to prosciutto.
A photo of David does not do him justice.
for me ham is the most delicious it as same as Polish one.... fruits are lovely too
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteWell, you will never run out of ham in Spain!
Those alfajores look yummy! Persimmons make my mouth pucker.
ReplyDeleteRick:
DeleteIf you like tapioca pudding (San Geraldo does and I don't), you'll like alfajores. That's what they remind us of. Persimmons make my mouth pucker, but a little pucker is OK, I guess.
Food in Europe always looks so delicious and delightful; unlike the fuel/fodder here, which is often tasteless and unappealing.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteOh, I'm sure Europe has plenty of tasteless and unappealing fare. You just won't find me writing about it.
You had me at dulce de leche. Spaniards sure know how to eat!!
ReplyDelete