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What are those Strange Veggies You See at the Ajijic and Chapala Markets? How Do You Fix Them?

January 13, 2010

What are those Strange Veggies You See at the Ajijic and Chapala Markets?

How Do You Fix Them?

Here’s a video showing you some of the more common (but new to you perhaps) Fruits and Veggies you’ll find in the different produce markets in and around Lake Chapala and Ajijic.

Being married to  a Mexican lady I’ve learned to love most of them.

The lady in the video is not my wife by the way, but the pretty lady in the thumb nail photo is my wife and she cooks mostly from scratch and mostly traditional Mexican food, but she tones done the HEAT LOAD of the chilies for me.

I love the accent of the lady in the film. Listen closely and you’ll also learn a bit of how to pronounce words in Spanish even though she’s speaking in English.

At the end of the video is an ad for the Focus on Mexico folks. Please contact me before you make contact with them for some important  information.

Sid @ChapalaClub.com


Written by Sid Grosvenor · Filed Under News
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  • Audrey Zikmund

    Dear Sid……My husband is on oxygen 24-7 and after a certain amount of time needs to replace the skinny plastic hoses he uses. Since you are a man about town would you be able to tell me if the oxygen hoses are available in that area?????? Thank You Ahead of time……….Audrey Zikmund

  • Ruth Hill

    Hi Sid,
    If we drive to Mexico for 6 mos. with just a car load of “stuff” would we be permitted to bring our Nutrimill wheat grinder and our Bosch mixer, and more importantly, a 6 gal. pail of hard white winter wheat? We always make our own bread. I’m sure we could buy wheat SOMEWHERE in Mexico but would like to bring ours if possible. I “think” I would like to come on an FM3 but not quite yet. We are still feeling things out. We lived in Guadalajara for a year but only brought suitcases at that time. This is a little different.
    Thanks, Ruth (where it is 19 F this morning!)

  • http://www.chapalaclub.com Sid Grosvenor

    Hi Ruth, Good questions.

    I can;t predict of course just what they will do at the border, but I feel 98% sure you will not have a problem bringing in the things you describe. They will appear used. You’ll be on a 6 month tourist permit.

    You just don’t want to bring in obviously new things that they fear you may sell while here. (Big Screen new looking TV’s for example.)

    The wheat could be a problem as both countries are concerned about food products crossing the border that may cause problems in the other country. Going North the USA restricts most types of fruit for example.

    I would just pack the wheat at the bottom of all the other stuff and play “Don’t Ask” “Don’t tell”.

    I wish you a safe uneventful trip and GREEN lights at all check points.

    Siempre tu amigo, Sid

  • http://www.chapalaclub.com Sid Grosvenor

    Hi Audrey, I can’t say for sure, but I would think that they would be available. I would bring some hose material with me and then investigate locally.

    If I get better information I’ll forward it along. Thanks for the question. Siempre tu amigo, Sid

  • http://www.dundeemanor.com Brad Cunningham

    Hi Mr. Sid–

    Some direction on purchasing an automoblile? What are the pros and cons of buying one in Guadalajara or State Side–My thoughts with all the info recently on being pulled over is that one is more likly to stay under the radar if we have Mexican Plates–I am sure this has be covered only forgive us we are new home owners getting set up and discovering so many other things to consider.

    Best Brad

  • Betty

    Hi Sid! Thanks for another fine video. I am familiar with the vegetables except for the nopal. I have never had the cactus fruit but wish they had said how you eat it. I do have cactus in my yard but do not know when it is ripe and how to eat it. I do not know how to fix the nopal either. I would like recipes for these things if they have one. Thanks again.

  • http://www.chapalaclub.com Sid Grosvenor

    Hi Betty, Glad you enjoyed the video. My wife steams the nopal petals or sometimes fries in oil.

    Of course first you have to cut off/out the barbs.

    Sometimes after cooking she slices the petals and put’s the slices in salads. You can also add pieces to soup. A very versatile veggie.

    They used to just gather them from the wild in the desert, but now it’s an export crop grown in orchards. The Mexican people who have immigrated to the USA like to be able to buy their traditional foods there.

    Also good with white cheeze melted on top after cooking. TRy experimenting a little based on why I’ve shared. Sid

  • http://www.chapalaclub.com Sid Grosvenor

    Hi Brad, Which is better is sort of in the eye of the beholder. Cars in North American are less expensive. If you know your rights and get stopped I doubt if you will have aany more trouble than with Mexican plates. I have cars with Mexican plates and with Texas plates.

    Newer cars with Mexican plates have to pay a hefty yearly tax (like a luxury car tax). Sorry, I don’t know how much but it’s substantial.
    The fee for Mexican plated cars 10 years old or more is very low. If memory serves it’s like under $15 USD.

    Decause of the close parking, narrow streets, bushes growing into the street etc. you will get more nicks in your car here than in the USA. The good news is that body work is very very low in cost and high in quality.

    So, I drive older cars but keep them in top mechanical shape. I have a 94 and 97 Ford Explorer with Mexican plates. I bought the 97 and later converted it to Mexican plates. Now to convert to Mexican plates the car has to be exactly 10 years old, not considered a luxury car, and must be made in the USA, Canada, or Mexico.

    Not sure the cost of conversion now, but I paid around $600 to convert each of mine at the border.

    Some folks re register cars in Texas and then drive there to renew registration or when possible by mail using a Texas forwarding address. Some register in South Dakota (Only Clay County) by mail. Some just let the US plates expire.

    The risk is that if you have a serious wreck the Insurance company may look for a policy exclusion (read the fine print) that may say if the car isn’t properly registered they don’t have to pay.

    I go to Texas often enough and keep my Texas plates current, and my safety Inspection Sticker valid. My Mexican plated cars are also properly registered, and insured.

    If I were going to buy a new Mexican plated car I’d go over to S and S Motors in Riberas de Pilar and talk to the nice Canadian folks who have a good local reputation. They also sell used Mexican plated cars… and know all the rules… and follow them.

    Hope this helps. All for now. Siempre tu amigo, Sid

Email for more information:
Sid@ChapalaClub.com

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