When you see this recipe you will think it is really out there, but trust me, it will taste like a party in your mouth!
Us Mexicans love to snack, and if the snacks include something acid, spicy and tangy, even better! It is very common to munch on fruit or vegetables doused with lime juice sprinkled with powdered chile – you can give this treatment to cucumbers, jicamas, carrots, pineapple, mangos, coconut, kiwi, oranges, grapefruits and watermelon, If you’ve ever been to Mexico, you probably have seen the local vendors pushing their fruit carts. They mound tons of fruit in glasses, drizzle with lime juice and crown them with powdered chile.
If you take this a bit further, you can drizzle a sauce called Chamoy – homemade versions are made with dried apricots, hibiscus, lime juice, powdered chile, lime and salt. This outrageous sauce is sweet, tangy, spicy and salty and just writing about it makes my mouth water. Well, we love to put chamoy on all those fruits, but also on chips and popcorn. If it’s a snack, it’s great with chamoy.
As kids, we grow up from infancy eating tangy and spicy things like tamarind, so it is not surprising that those flavours tickle our fancy as well as our taste buds! When there are get-togethers, there will always be some sort of snack featuring fruit, veggies, chips, peanuts with powdered chile, lime juice and chamoy. Creative kids and Moms have invented all kinds of “botanas locas” (crazy snacks) that are devoured as soon as they are put out.
A favourite combination is jícama, carrot and cucumber – that is what I would call a classic. Whether you make a large ring or serve them in a bowl or a glass, that is what I like to start with. From there, add whatever you like, from an assortment of different fruit to “cacahuates Japoneses” (coated peanuts), Takis, Fritos, potato chips, gummy bears, or any of the Mexican candies you find in your local Latin store. Drizzle with lime juice, powdered chile (ground chile de árbol if you like to live dangerously, or Tajín for a milder heat) and lots of Chamoy. Grab a spoon and dig in!
Botanas Locas
Crazy Snacks
1/2 small jicama, peeled and shredded
2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
1 English cucumber, peeled, seeded and shredded
1 mango, peeled and diced (optional)
Cacahuates Japoneses and/or Hot Nuts Peanuts
Potato chips, Fritos, Doritos or Takis, crumbled
Juice of 2 limes
Powdered chile de árbol or Tajín
Chamoy
Skwinkles, gummies or any other Mexican candy
After you shred the cucumber, place it in a sieve and make sure all the liquid drains off.
In small glasses, layer equal parts of jicama, carrot and cucumber, then top with fruit (if using). Top with peanuts, crumbled chips and whatever candy you have.
Drizzle with lime juice, add some powdered chile and lots of chamoy.
Serve immediately with a spoon.
Makes 4.