Happy Sunday amigos! On this edition of Sunday Snapshots I want to share just a few photos of the food we’ve been enjoying since arriving in our Mexican paradise. But before we get to the yummy food pics I want to thank you. Your sweet comments and well wishes regarding our move, from Europe to Mexico, made both my husband and I smile. We are super excited and it’s going to be great sharing our adventure with you.
(Please excuse the not-so-great quality of the photos; they were shot on a limited point-and-shoot.)
As you can imagine being in the land of our favourite cuisine has meant making up for lost time…eating lots and lots of food. The food is out of this world delicious and in all honesty, that’s all I’ve been thinking about — what I’m going to eat next. I’ve been trying some foods I’ve never heard of as well as enjoying those I grew up eating and have myself cooked while living in Europe. We’ve begun carrying a small point-and-shoot camera to capture and share some of these mouthwatering foods with you. Of course it would be better if you could see and taste it rather than just look at a photo, wouldn’t you agree?:)
Last Sunday we stumble upon the annual Taste of Playa International Food Festival. The festival is held in the Parque Fundadores just footsteps from the sand and with views of this beautiful statue (pictured above) and the turquoise water.
By the time we arrived the festival was already bustling with people searching out their next taste of the mouthwatering food being offered. All of the booths had super friendly people ready to answer your questions and tell you all about the yummy foods they were offering.
We couldn’t stay long but we did manage to squeeze in stirred blueberry daiquiris and tamales cooked in banana leaves that were filled with black beans, meat and topped with a spicy red salsa. This was the first time hubby and I have eaten tamales cooked in banana leaves, and they taste just as scrumptious as ones cooked in corn husks.
The concept of the Taste of Playa International Food Festival is a great one. You not only get to taste the international flavours of this amazing city, but also proceeds are “used to assist a not-for-profit food or clean water program in the area.” Isn’t that wonderful? I’m already exciting for next year’s festival, in fact I will be looking into a VIP pass to better document and fully taste the event.
The following photos are from different days and places.
These mouthwatering cebollitas (grilled onions), nopales (cactus paddles), sliced radishes, cucumbers and lime wedges were side-dishes to our grilled steak tacos a few nights ago. The restaurant that serves these is excellent and I’ll be doing a full writeup on them soon.
Okay, this next one really makes my mouth water. Have you ever eaten conch? I have but never ceviche style. Ceviche is a dish made from raw seafood (of choice) that is “cooked” by marinading it in fresh lime juice, onions, tomato and cilantro. We each ate these huge plates of conch ceviche, or ceviche de caracol, at an excellent seafood restaurant off the tourist path. It was only locals there so you know the food is going to be fantastic.
The ceviche de caracole was served with homemade corn chips and saltine crackers. You really can’t see it in the photos but, we were also served a super spicy green habanero salsa that just blew our tastebuds aways. I’ll try to ask for the recipe and share it with you.
I love conch and now I think ceviche style is how I most prefer to eat it. Washed down with an agua de jamaica (hibiscus drink) this meal was unforgettable, also seeing the waiters bring out one gorgeous seafood dish after another just made the meal even tastier.
We munched on our ceviche as a couple of young locals serenaded the restaurant with their guitars and Mexican music. From the patrons to the staff and passersby, everyone had a smile on their face. The sun was shinning and there were some amazing smells and gorgeous food, how could that not make one smile. We can’t wait to go back and try other foods!
This not so little guy isn’t food, he’s one of the “pets” in our building. We saw him while on our way to the beach; there he was looking into the front door — maybe trying to look at his reflection?
As we were leaving the beach these dark clouds rolled in. They poured big rain drops over us for a few minutes, all while the sun was still shining. Tropical rains are beautiful!
Have a great day! I’ll (really this time) be back with a recipe soon.
Paradise indeed with all the tasty eats and stunning vistas!
I’m pretty lucky, aren’t I?:) Thanks Jean!
Doesn’t this food just make you happy in your bones? It does me! I do hope you will head north to San Miguel once you are settled in Mexico. We have much to share!!
Yes, it does! My husband and I would whole heartedly agree with you. San Miguel isn’t too far from where my family is so I’m sure I’ll be visiting you someday soon.:)
Even with a point and shoot you still get amazing pictures! That little visitor in the last shot would have had me running!
Aww, thanks Sandra:) He was more afraid of us and took off right after I snapped the photo.
G’day Nancy, I always enjoy experiencing various places through unique views; especially food and local characters like your four legged friend too!
I’d be curious if there is a story around (what seems like a romantic) sculpture; very unique! :)
Cheers! Joanne
Hi Joanne! I feel the same because we can really get to know a place from different perspectives. You know, there is a story I just don’t know what it is yet…I see a future article.:) Thanks!
beautiful pictures! my favorite is the last one!
Thank you Amanda!
So beautiful and OMG, the food sounds amazing. What an awesome adventure Nancy – so happy for you!
I’m quite fortunate:)
Nancy, so you are in Mexico, wow. Lovely pictures my dear. Looks like you are settling in well, in the gorgeous city.
Hope you had a great time in Paris too.
Yes, I am Ash. Thank you:)
So glad I recovered your blog ,Nancy, was already missing it dearly :)
Looks like you had a lot of fun at the food fare.
The pics are beautiful and this Ceviche de Caracole..yummy.
And I was missing yours Daniela! Thank you and glad to be back.:)
What a beautiful place and such scrummy food.
I am going to unsubscribe but don’t worry, I have added you in Bloglovin. I am trying to keep my emails clear but will read your posts through Bloglovin as I really love them.
Thank you Suzanne! I will make sure I’m following you on Bloglovin because I lost my email subscriptions.
A great event! The food there looks wonderful.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa!
Beautiful photos, Nancy. I love esp. the last one.
Thank you Angie!:)
I was away from blogging for a month and learnt from this post about your shift back to Mexico. Here’s wishing you the very best of time here as well. (I was wondering how come I never received a ‘YBR mail’ from you…now I know) :-)
The festival sure looks like fun and a foodies’s heaven!
Welcome back to you too! Yes, I had to skip the YBR month as I am still trying to get organised after my absence. There will be a December roundup so hope to see you at it.:)
These are great looking shots!
Thank you!
Wow, I had no idea you moved. And not just a little move, you changed continents! Such gorgeous scenery and food…it looks like you’re making the best of your new surroundings. So great to hear from you!!! xo
Yes, a big move and we’re really enjoy it. Thanks Lizzy:) xo
All of those food pictures are driving me nuts! My mouth was watering long before getting to the ceviche. :) Great shots Nancy and what a wonderful place to be living!
Hehe, sorry MJ:)
Moving to Mexico? Boy, I have some catching up to do! Must make for quite a change from Prague… in a good way, I’m sure. Eat up a storm for me…
And I have some catching up to do on your blog Frank. Oh, don’t worry I’ll make sure eat something for you everyday.;)
Enjoyed so much reading this post! I love food festivals.
I’m right now in Germany touring Christmas markets, it’s also a kind of food festival experience, with local specialties, hot wine and gingerbread…
Have a great weekend and I’m looking forward to the recipes!
All the best.
P.s. Nancy, I learned a lot about food photography from your blog!
I love your new life… all except for that giant lizard thing. Ahhhhhh!! Now that just freaks me out of my mind. I know, I”m a total wimp!!