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Passion in the garden

Passionfruit on the vine

I’m still making discoveries in our garden.  I’m still finding plants that I didn’t know were there (see some of the plants in our garden in this ever-expanding photo album).  Fortunately, every once in a while our landlords come over and give me some tips.

This week I discovered a couple more things that were there all along.  Better yet, Lisandro and Lupita (our landlords) gave me some tips on how to use some of these things.  For example, this fruit to the right.  Do you know what it is?

Well, I didn’t know until today.  I wrote down the name of it on my hand, then promptly washed my hands and lost it (let that be a lesson to you all).  But now I know - it’s maracuyá, otherwise known as passion fruit.  It grows on a vine, and I can be excused for not noticing it because I can only reach the fruit from our roof.

So here’s what you do.  First, you cut it open - it’s orange with lots of black seeds.

Passion fruit

Passion fruit in the blender

Great.  Now, scoop them out and stick it seeds and all into the blender.  Whizzzz whizzzz whirrrr whirrrrr, add some water, whizzzz whizzzzz whirrrrr whirrrrrrrr…. then strain it into a pitcher.  This time I added about 1.5L (about .4 US Gallons) of water, and a touch of honey, and there you are.  Fresh passion fruit juice!

It’s an old vine, so apparently it’s not producing a lot of fruit.  Still, we have enough for a few pitchers here.

Did you know that the word "passion" here refers to Christ’s passion?  Learn more about how the passion flower got its name here.

Passion fruit juice

I also found out that we have a soursop tree.  I knew we had the tree (I nursed it carefully during dry season), I just didn’t know what it was.  It seems to be producing now.

Anyway, there’s lots of food in our garden - I just have to figure out ways to use it!

Lupita also gave me a recipe for salsa, so I’m ready to make some - in the blender, again.  Yum - just what we need around here.  Those are pretty hot little chilies - should make a good fresh salsa.  Feel free to stop by and share!

*****

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.

Psa 146:5-7

A few of our chilies

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The Cottrills and the Magi

Today is Día de los Reyes Magos (Day of the Magi Kings) here in Mexico.  In Canada most people generally miss the significance of Epiphany, which is celebrated in many othere countries.  Mexico is rich with tradition on this day.

Boys and girls recently wrote thier letters to the Magi, asking for the gifts they wanted.  Those letters were tied to helium balloons (for sale everywhere) and sent up into the sky.  Last night, they were lying in bed wondering if the three kings were going to grant their wishes.

This morning, they no doubt found their new toys, probably on top of their shoes (I think the original tradition was in the shoes, but who’s satisfied with gifts that size these days, unless they’re iPods?).

This being Shari’s and my second Three Kings Day in Mexico, we took on some of the traditions.  We had a few gifts that we held back at Christmas for the kids.  Last night we got together with some friends (missionaries heading the Honduras from the States) and had the traditional rosca - a specially shaped cake like the one you see in the photo (courtesy of Christian Frausto Bernal).  Inside are tiny white dolls, representing baby Jesus.  The first person to get a doll has to host the next party, on February 2nd (Día de la Candelaria, Candlemas).  This year, I was the lucky one.  :)

Rosca de Reyes

The Mexican traditions are a blend of many cultures.  The Rosca tradition comes from Spain.  The rest of the traditional meal shows a pre-Spanish heritage - hot chocolate (chocolate is from Mexico) and tamales (corn or maize being the staple of the new world).  There are also hints of both Christian and pagan beliefs in some traditions.

Around this time of year you can also get your picture taken with the 3 mystics.  We saw them in the mall in fabulous costumes, where I believe Santa was before Christmas.

(Note:  Yes, there’s a lot of extra or non-biblical tradition here.  In the Bible, these were Magi or “wise men”, not kings, and we don’t know how many there were or what their names were.  See 7 Things you might not have known about Christmas…)

You can read more about the Mexican traditions here:  ¡Ya Vienen Los Reyes Magos!

Below you can see all of us about to enjoy our rosca.  Now next year, remember: if you didn’t get everything you wanted for Christmas, ask the Magi - perhaps they’re still in a giving mood!

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Tim Hortons commercial

Since we’re on the topic of great inventions by Canadians, what about Tim Hortons coffee? Ok, I’m not a coffee drinker, but I am a donut eater, so I can appreciate Canada’s great fast food chain. Now open in places like the USA and Ireland, it’s still known as a Canadian chain, as you can see from this commercial in Minnisota:


(Thanks to Thoughts and Notions for this one)

Popularity: 21% [?]

Eat Mexican in Calgary

Mexican restaurant

So where’s the best place to get Mexican food in Calgary?  I don’t usually write about anything of such specific local interest, but I thought someone in the Calgary area might be interested in our discoveries of good restaurants.  Things are changing fast, so who knows how long the information may be relevant!

When we first came to Calgary, there were a few, then they seemed to disappear for a while.  Now they’re popping up all over the place, and there’s no possible way we could ever eat at them all.  No doubt part of the reason is that more and more Mexicans are coming to live in Calgary.

Anyway, from the ones that we have tried over the past few years, here’s what we think…

  • El Sombrero:  My favourite.  Small, a little more expensive than some, but the portions are large and the food is excellent.  On 17th Avenue SW, I believe it’s just open for lunch and dinner.
  • El Bombazo Latino Market:  Not just Mexican, but fabulous food.  Be prepared to wait - it will all be cooked fresh for you while you sit and watch Mexican TV.  But WOW is it worth the wait.  My mouth is watering.  There’s also a small latin market here where you can buy spices, canned goods, refrescos, and even pan dulce.
  • Salt and Pepper Mexican Restaurante:  There’s actually three of these in town, I think.  I wouldn’t rate them quite as high as the ones above, but very good.
  • Boca Loca:  Ok, I’ve never actually eaten here.  This is mainly a Mexican market, though they do serve lunches.  I just mention it because they do have a very wide selection of Mexican foods.  Just don’t expect it to be as cheap as it was when you were in Mexico.  There are two of these in town.
  • Julio’s Barrio:  This restaurant is a chain in Calgary and in Edmonton.  Everyone asks us about it because it’s in a prominent location in the city, and everyone sees it driving by.  Well, the decor is pretty cool, and the food was good, but just didn’t taste like Mexico.  I’m afraid it’s last on our list (and I didn’t list them all.  If I had, it would still be last).
  • There are many more - have you tried one you liked?  Disagree with the order I put these in?  Leave a comment!

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