Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate
Posted by David Dagoli  on January 15, 2015, 2:47 pm
201.138.179.202
We borrowed a metate from Linda, our housekeeper Ludy's sister-in-law. A metate, pronounced [mah -TAH-tay], is an ancient mortar used for grinding seeds and corn by Mesoamerican cultures.
The metate is like a molcajete, made from volcanic rock.
This one has belonged to Ludy's mother Irene since she was 18. Irene is running the restaurant and umbrella business at the mouth of the crocodile lagoon.
Apparently, the texture achieved when using a metate to grind corn for tortillas, or seeds and tomatoes for mole, is much better than you get from using an electric blender.
This photo was taken at Linda's house near the arroyo, with her son Pepe junior, and a couple of girls she is looking after. The metate is on the ground in front, minus the oblong grinding stone.
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------------------------Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate
Posted by Larry F on January 15, 2015, 4:00 pm, in reply to "Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate"
187.148.170.202
The other grinding stone you mention, the molcajete, is commonly found in Mexican kitchens. It is also carved out of lava rock, or basalt. Basically it is a morter and pestle, about the size of a soup bowel and with three short legs. The rough texture, I understand, is because of the bubbles within the basalt. As the bubbles wear down, new ones appear.
It is used to grind spices and make guacamole. About 120-150 pesos at many markets.
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------------------------Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate
Posted by David Dagoli on January 16, 2015, 6:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate"
201.138.179.202
Grinding fresh elote on the metate today. We have Ron Zimmerman and his wife Carrie staying with us, from The Herbfarm Restaurant in Woodinville, Washington, near Seattle. He wants to try making fresh corn tortillas and mole, the old- fashioned way
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------------------------Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate
Posted by David Dagoli on January 16, 2015, 7:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate"
201.138.179.202------------------------Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate
Posted by Ron Smith on January 16, 2015, 9:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Humans of La Manzanilla - Linda and The Metate"
24.113.231.99
David
I have a good friend and sailing buddy, Danilo Amato, that used to cook at the Herbfarm Restaurant, which is a truly magnificent experience. I plotted with him to help redesign his family's Restaurant in Italy. I can only imagine what you are experiencing with Chef Ron. Yum.
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