A perfect Mexico camping spot on the Costa Esmeralda of Veracruz
The term Costa Esmeralda covers a stretch of highway about fifteen miles long from Hotel Riachuelos to Casitas. Five tiny beach towns, occasionally broken by cattle farms and small rivers running down to the sea, enliven the stretch. These Mexican Gulf beaches are veritable tropical gardens. The location is 259 kilometers south of Tampico and 205 kilometers north of Veracruz on Highway 180.
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Expat living in Mexico: Xalapa vs. Ajijic
Reports written some years ago about Jalapa, (or Xalapa as the locals prefer to spell it) Veracruz in MexConnect caught my eye. These tout the pleasant climate, cultural attractions, the presence of un...
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There's a lot to see and do in Veracruz, Mexico
Rafting on the
Pescado River in Veracruz
Veracruz offers some awesome adventure sports in a pristine area near the village of Jalcomulco, about 90 minutes from Veracruz City....
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A driving tour from Oaxaca to San Cristobal de las Casas and Palenque: Part Two
Fish in spicy tomato sauce: Pescado a la veracruzana
This is one version of the Veracruz classic traditionally made with huachinango, red snapper. It has everything you could want in a healthy Mexican dish -- bright flavors and lean protein, without sacrificing regional authenticity.
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Two weeks in Veracruz: a travel diary
I was the only passenger they patted down looking for AK47s and rocket launchers. The sombrero made me look like Clint Eastwood. I'm sure that's what it was.
read moreImmigrant cooking in Mexico: The Afromestizos of Veracruz
This month we'll continue to take a look at the cooking of the immigrants who contributed to the modern Mexican culinary repertoire. Unlike other groups discussed previously — including the Mennonite...
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Beef short ribs with pumpkin: Costilla de res con calabaza
The combination of meat and squash is typically West African, combined here with tomatoes, an indigenous Mexican ingredient, and spices introduced by the Spaniards.
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Catemaco and Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz: almost paradise
The arch at the entrance to the city of Catemaco says "Escape to Paradise!" Catemaco is both a town and a lake in the region known as Los Tuxtlas, in southern Veracruz state. The area is very green and wet, much of it covered by jungle. The Gulf of Mexico is nearby, and the area includes a biosphere preserve. The region is known for ecotourism.
read moreFish in red pipian: Pescado en pipian rojo
The mountains of northern Puebla and Veracruz are blessed with an abundance of freshwater fish. The combination of fish and pipian is unusual but delicious, and any firm fleshed white fish can be use...
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Chicken in sesame seed, pumpkin seed and chile sauce: Tlatonile de pollo
This sauce originated in Huatusco, in north central Veracruz. Comapeños are very small, dried red chiles abundant in this region. You can substitute chiles de arbol for the comapeños, but I rec...
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Did You Know? Blacks outnumbered Spaniards until after 1810
By common consent, the history of blacks in Mexico is a long one. The first black slave to set foot in Mexico is thought to have been Juan Cortés. He accompanied the conquistadors in 1519. It has been...
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Mexico's Danza de los Voladores - a photo-essay
One of the most spectacular dances in the country — la Danza de Los Voladores, literally the Dance of the Flyers — involves only five participants.In the old days, they first had to find a suitable...
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Did You Know? Vanilla Festival in Papantla, Veracruz
The Vanilla Festival is held in early summer every year in Papantla, Veracruz. The origins of the festival pre-date the Spanish conquest. Its timing is now tied to the Catholic celebration of the Feast...
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Seafood frittata: Torta de mariscos
This dish takes advantage of Veracruz' abundant variety of seafood. It is quite adaptable, in that just about any other kind of seafood or fish can be added, including squid, shelled oysters, clams or ...
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It's hot in Zacatepec, Morelos
Zacatepec has three claims to fame – the sugar mill, the Instituto Technológico de Zacatepec and its soccer stadium.
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Cheese-filled Sweet Potato Patties: Tortitas de Camote
In most of Mexico, these fried patties are made with white potatoes, whereas in Veracruz they are made with sweet potatoes or yucca. This cheese-filled version is more versatile than most, because it c...
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Xalapa-style green mole: Mole verde de Xalapa
Puebla and Oaxaca both have their own distinctive versions of green mole, but none is as laden with fresh vegetables as Xalapa's mole verde. Although I have prepared several meatless pipians and ...
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Oyster mushroom chileatole: Chileatole de setas
Mushrooms proliferate in the mist-covered hills of north central Veracruz, the only place I have ever seen chileatole made with them, in this case with setas or oyster mushrooms. It would probabl...
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A culinary tour of Xalapa: Dining in the home of Jalapeños
When I told Carmen Titita Ramirez, owner of the highly acclaimed El Bajio restaurant in Mexico City, that I would be spending time in Xalapa, she responded with her usual exuberance and proceeded to wr...
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