subject: Frozen Mexican Desserts Are A Real Treat! [print this page] If you have ever been to Mexico, you know the climate is hot and tropical. The Mexican people have developed some wonderful frozen desserts to keep them cool. These frozen desserts are sold along the streets in a similar fashion to ice cream trucks in the United States. Once you stop to buy, one the hard part is making a decision!
If you like popsicles, you will love paletas. In Spanish, their name means "little shovels." They may look like normal popsicles but they taste very different from what we may have eaten as kids. Paletas commonly come in flavors like chili, cucumber, sour fruit and milk mixed with fruit. Paletas are healthy snacks that are low in fat. Try some... it does not matter if you like them creamy or icy, you are sure to find one you like.
Ice cream is one of the most popular desserts in Mexico. Plain vanilla ice cream turns into something magical when it is topped with cajeta, which is a sweet caramelized milk. The syrup is made by cooking sweetened milk slowly until it is reduced to a syrup consistency. Cajeta is also very good when it is made with juice or goat's milk. You may see it on menus as crema de cajeta, dulce de leche, or leche quemada.
Fried ice cream is a wonderful treat from Mexico. They freeze ice cream balls until they are very solid. The ice cream is then rolled in a coating like corn flakes or cookie crumbs before being deep fried briefly at a low temperature. The fried ice cream may be topped with cinnamon, honey or whipped cream. Fried ice cream is delightful due to the contrast between the hot crispy crust and the cold creamy ice cream. Try it at a local Mexican restaurant if you can and then try to make it at home!
The town of Tocumbo is known for its ice cream. They make ice cream out of anything that is lying around, including tequila, pine nuts, avocado, corn, horchata and more. Tocumbo ice cream is marketed in over 10,000 outlets in Mexico.
Snow cones, or raspados, are treats that are sold all year round in Mexico. They are very popular with kids. Snow cones are made from shaved ice covered in colored syrup that comes in many different flavors. Sorbets are rather new to Mexico, but like other introduced foods have become a part of Mexican cuisine. Savory sorbets contain more water and are often made with herbs. They are used s palate fresheners. Sweeter sorbets are thicker and have more intense flavors.
As with most Mexican recipes, frozen Mexican desserts can usually be easily made at home. The delicious concoctions are perfect on a hot summer's day to help you cool off. Gather a few recipes together and try some. Your family will love getting to taste these icy treats.
If you want to try them before making some of your own, many frozen Mexican treats can be found at Latino markets. Once you know what you like, you can make them at home easily. Making these desserts is almost as fun as eating them!
