Refreshing Watermelon Frost

It's that time of year when the seasons change in California and you know what that means? We could easily have the "4 seasons of the year in one day", it's true. You wake up to 50ºF weather and throughout the day the temperature varies up to mid 70s, you end up dressing in layers because let's be realistic 20º difference is 20º. 

Mother's Day weekend was no exception, on Saturday it was a breezy day. Too cold in the morning for us, so much so that when we arrived in San Francisco around noon we had to put on our jackets and it still felt cooler than we expected. Then on Sunday it was warm and sunny, we went out for the evening in tank tops and crop pants only to return home 2 hours later shivering and begging for warmth. 

While the warmer temperatures on Sunday made us long for a cool and refreshing beverage we just couldn't decide what to drink... That is until my husband remembered we had half a Dulcinea watermelon left from the day before in the refrigerator. I guess you could say we both came up with what we wanted the drink to taste like and when I posted an image on Facebook I honestly didn't think you would be interested, but I was wrong because immediately I began getting requests for the recipe. As promised here's what we used and how we prepared the drink:

INGREDIENTS:

Half of a Dulcinea Seedless Watermelon.

Ice

Optional ingredients:

Tajin Seasonings

Key Limes

PREPARATION:

1.- Chop watermelon into bit size pieces, put in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

2.- Take out watermelon and leave at room temperature for at least 45 minutes {this is so it has more natural "juice" in it.

3.- Blend with ice cubes until completely blended as if making a smoothie. Serve and enjoy!

As for the optional ingredients, I felt it needed a little kick in the flavor department mostly because we didn't add any sweeteners. So I squeezed half a key lime and mixed in the juice directly in my glass and topped my drink with some tajin seasonings. It was delicious, refreshing and easy to make! Of course I used a slice of key lime to garnish my glass and next time I plan on adding some tajin seasonings to the rim of my glass.... mmm

Farmer's Market in Costa Rica {Santa Ana}

While living in San Diego we made it a point to visit at least every other week the Little Italy farmer's market, it was so much fun and a great way to support local business' in addition to finding unique products that were absolutely fabulous! When we moved to Costa Rica I knew we would enjoy their farmer's markets. What I didn't know was when it was held or where, turns out that each City has their own farmer's markets and not just one, several of them and on different days of the week. 

The farmer's market we love is in Santa Ana in West San Jose and it is held every Sunday from 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the downtown area near the Church. Yes that early! The street is shut down to traffic and local farmers and business' set up.

You can find fresh cut fruit and vegetables, herbs, spices, snacks such as plantain chips and tortilla chips, fish, seafood, freshly made to order "pupusas", "chorreadas", coffee grains, fresh juices and more including lottery tickets! The possibilities are endless, all you have to is bring your own bags or shopping carts. Don't have any? don't worry they are well equipped with plastic bags. You will see people leaving with so much. The time I walked to the farmers market my shoulders gave out because of all the papaya, watermelon, pineapple that were so heavy! :)

Shopping at the farmers market means you are going green, something I had no idea I was. You may ask how is it that you are going green, simple you are supporting the local economy and they have a law for farmers market: It has to be local product. That means no imported fruits or items, so you will not find apples, oranges, grapes, nectarines, peaches.

For ¢450 colones you can get a 10 oz freshly squeezed juice! My personal favorites are soursop and tamarind. They also have "resbaladera" which is similar to "horchata" except it also has other grains  like barley and it is called "resbaladera" because it is suggested for digestion. For ¢500 Colones you get a large sized drink. Remember ¢500 Colones = $1.00 USD. ;)

Pricing is a lot less than at the local super market, for example 3 heads of garlic are ¢200 colones which equals to $0.40 USD that is great pricing versus the ¢400 colones that a local supermarket charges for the same amount of garlic. We have managed to save by shopping at the farmers market, where else can you get all this for ¢10,000 colones? {That would be $20.00 USD}

The first time we went was a week after we moved into our new home, the kids loved going and we didn't want to leave because of everything we got to see and listen: 

At the farmers market is where I found these super large zucchini you liked so much on Instagram. They were larger than my hand! I had enough with 2 zucchini's for 4 dinners! :D

Do you shop at your local farmers market? 

Try it and you'll find great quality and price, I guarantee! :D

Homemade Mango Salsa {recipe}

Since moving to Costa Rica I've become a little more adventurous in everything, specially in the kitchen. Trying out new recipes and ingredients. One of my favorite fruits is mango and it is widely found here everywhere! We recently visited some new friends here for a Sunday afternoon and although I had tried Mango Salsa in the U.S. {we usually bought it from Whole Foods} I have to admit that until we tried it here it dawned on me on how easy it was to prepare it. Now just so you know in Costa Rica Mango Salsa is called Mango Ceviche, I personally think it has to do with the way it is prepared. So today I am going to share with you how to prepare your mango salsa through a short video I posted on Instagram and list the ingredients so you too can prepare your own Mango Salsa....

INGREDIENTS:

1 Medium - Large size Mango cut into bite size pieces and without the skin {it can't be ripe or soft to touch}

1 Small onion chopped into tiny pieces {I used white but red onion also works}

1/2 tsp of salt

1/4 cup of freshly chopped cilantro leaves

1/4 cup of lime juice {freshly squeezed works best}

PREPARATION:

Serve chilled and with corn tortilla chips. It is perfect for a party, appetizer or just because. :D Enjoy!