NEWS! BIG NEWS from Tocumbo, Michoacán!
Author Martín González de la Vara signs a copy of La Michoacana, Una Historia de los Paleteros de Tocumbo.
To initiate the IV Encuentro de Cocina Tradicional Michoacana (the fourth annual Exposition of the Traditional Cooking of Michoacán, held in Morelia from December 6 through December 9, 2007), Martín González de la Vara introduced La Michoacana, Una Historia de los Paleteros de Tocumbo, his glorious and important new book. Its 236 pages are chock-a-block with the regional, culinary, and cultural history of the región paletero, the area around Tocumbo. The photos of paleteros (ice cream makers) and paleterías (ice cream shops) from a bygone age are marvelous. González weaves a magnificent story, the much-amplified version of what's written here on Mexico Cooks!
And poses with a copy of the book while leaning on an old-fashioned paleta cart! After the book presentation, there were paletas for everyone.
The recently-published book has already won an important prize, awarded by INAH (the National Institute of Anthropology and History) here in Mexico.
To read the June 2007 Mexico Cooks! article about the paleteros of Tocumbo, click here.
Paletas are my favorite street treat, especially in summer while wilting my way through the market. I've tried pineapple, lemon and coconut, but look forward to sampling other flavors too. Can't wait til La Michoacana opens an outlet in San Carlos!
Posted by: 1st Mate | December 30, 2007 at 06:35 PM
Those paleteros carts are still seen around where we live. One was at the Gran Baile last night following a wedding in our rancho.
The coconut-covered, chocolate coated bar looked especially tempting.
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Mike, those paleta carts are far from out of style. I see them everywhere in Mexico, including the one I saw this afternoon in the middle of downtown Morelia.
Posted by: Michael Warshauer | December 23, 2007 at 05:31 PM