During the first week of April, Mexico Cooks! traveled with a group of friends to Michoacán's Zona Lacustre (Lake Zone). Our trip had three purposes: to taste every regional food specialty we could find to eat, to attend an enormous annual Michoacán-only artisans' fair, and to enjoy one another's company to the fullest. The trip was a huge success on all three counts.
Come to the artisans' fair opening day parade with Mexico Cooks!
Parade of Artisans, 2007. Most of the many Purhépecha (the indigenous group of Michoacán) villages in the Zona Lacustre specialize in a particular form of artesanía (arts and crafts). The annual Feria de Artesanía opens as representative artesanos (artisans) from each village parade through the fair site. Each town delegate proudly bears a placard emblazoned with the town name. All along the parade route, some of the artisans carry stellar examples of their work.
Ribbons and masks from Tócuaro.
A Purépecha woman from Uruapan, vestida de gala (dressed in her finest) and speckled with festive confetti, shows off an example of fine maque (regional lacquerware).
Dance masks, Danza de los Viejitos (the Dance of the Little Old Men).
Young Purhépecha women festooned with beads, lace, velvet, and ribbons. The baskets they carry are filled with confetti, ready to be tossed at the spectators. The young woman in red stopped directly in front of me, grinned, and showered me with color from head to toe.
This beautiful young woman danced with her face covered by the mask of a toothless grandmother, wearing typical ribbons in her long white braids.
Purépecha women in Michoacán's Zona Lacustre ordinarily use a region-specific blue and black striped rebozo (shawl). Legend has it that this traditional style rebozo became popular in Colonial times: the black stripe symbolizes Spanish hair, the blue stripe symbolizes the Spanish eye. In daily life, the rebozo is utilitarian. Mothers use it to carry their babies slung on their backs, to carry wood for the kitchen stove and other burdens, and for simple warmth. Folded and placed on the head, the rebozo protects from the sun and balances pots and jars.
Beauty, tradition, and personal pride hallmark the Feria de Artesanía. One of Mexico Cooks! dearest friends says, "Cada que veo tus fotos siempre me dan la cara de volver." 'Every time I see your pictures, it always make me want to come back.'
In just a few days, we'll show you some of the incredible meals Mexico Cooks! ate along the way. We'd like to invent a scratch-and-sniff computer monitor to give you all but the taste of regional cooking. We're sure the photos will make your mouth water.
If you'd like to travel to the 2008 Feria de Artesanía in Michoacán, contact Mexico Cooks! and we'll start now to make your plans for adventure.
Ann, I'm glad Steve at Rancho Gordo (www.ranchogordo.com) told you about Mexico Cooks! Keep enjoying reading it.
Do you remember anything else about the salsa you had on Cozumel? Was it dark red, light green, somewhere in between? It's hard to know how to start investigating without a little more information.
In the not to far distant future, Mexico Cooks! will feature a selection of homemade salsa recipes. Maybe your memorable salsa will be one of those.
Thanks again for writing,
Cristina
Posted by: Cristina | April 15, 2007 at 06:58 PM
Hi Cristina. I love your blog. Steve from Rancho Gordo turned me onto it. I have a question about Mihoacan actually.
I've only been to Mexico once, to Cozumel (I know, wrong region, but bear with me). There's a restaurant there called La Choza that makes THE most amazing salsa on the face of the earth. It's hot, but completely pureed and slightly emulsified. I asked the owner what made it so amazing, and all he would tell me was that it's a secret recipe from when the family lived in Mihoacan. Have you ever come across anything similar? Was he pulling my leg? I've tried to recreate it at home here in NYC, but, to no avail. It's always missing that certain something. Any help would be forever appreciated!
Posted by: ann | April 15, 2007 at 06:18 PM
Keep reading Mexico Cooks!, Ginger. In the not too far distant future, I'll have an article (with photos) all about carne en su jugo, one of Mexico Cooks! favorite Jalisco regional dishes.
If I can wangle the carne en su jugo recipe from my favorite restaurant in Guadalajara, I'll post it here. I've never found a better version.
If you'd like your next trip to be to the hidden treasures of Michoacán, I'd be delighted to be your guide. Let me know and I'll send you a tour itinerary and price list.
Cristina
Mexico Cooks!
Posted by: Cristina | April 15, 2007 at 04:22 PM
Hi there! I just recently started reading your blog. I wonder if you are familiar with the dish carne en su jugo? I had this while in Guadalajara two years ago and have been looking for a recipe ever since. It was one of the best meals I have eaten in Mexico. I am most familar with the state of Jaliso and can't wait for a return trip, this time I will try a new region.
Thanks! Ginger
Posted by: ginger | April 15, 2007 at 04:00 PM