Eating Well on the Ecuadorian Coast...

Ecuador’s food is health food… compared to food in the US… even Ecuador’s fast food is prepared fresh.

Many mistakenly think that Ecuadorian food is something like Mexican food. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Ecuadorian food is European if anything but blended nicely with Andean traditions… so it is very healthy. Here is an example... Fanesca, an Easter holiday soup made with 12 grains, fish, egg and avocado. This is quite a famous dish served this time of year...doesn't it look delicious?

On Ecuador’s coast, you can get seafood right from the fishing boats when they come in, like these at San Clemente. Boats like this one are dotted all along the coast.

The Humboldt Current creates one of the world’s most productive nutrient-rich waters that rise along the coast. This is a perfect condition for abundant plankton which leads to an eco region with huge schools of small fish like anchovies and sardines.

The cool waters of the Humboldt Current provide a constant supply of food for big fish such as Dorado (also called dolphinfish), barracuda, blue and black marlin, yellow-finned and long-finned tuna, snook and many other species including very large shrimp!

There are no high fat, fast food franchises exept in large cities in Ecuador. This is as close to a fast food as you’ll get in most smaller towns and villages...

Fruit is vine picked ripe and really cheap… every type… tropical and northern… apples, blackberries, cherries, strawberries and pears. Many products sold in the local markets are organic like this sign in a Cotacachi market... “productos organicos here.”

Prices for fresh seafood are cheap..$1.00 per pound at local markets.

The national drink of Ecuador is herbal tea… not espresso cafe… real infusions made from the fresh plants purchased in the market. Much healthier… even medicinal!

Here is star anise great for making Tea-Masala.

Another traditional shamanic purification tea to be drunk and bathed in is one part sweet pepper pictured here (called black cardomon in the US)

Boiled with cinnamon bark and chamomile..

 They drink wonderful, healthy welcome drinks… alfalfa juice with mango....

and mango juice with blackberry....

   coffee breaks include quinoa puddings…

Toasted corn...

 and gooseberries and hand made chocolate dipped, coconut balls. Even the coconut is fresh and hand shredded.

Quinoa "welcome cake" is a specialty....

A typical high protein meal, quinoa, avocado and shrimp.

Here is a variation on the theme… shrimp… with quinoa and vegetables “al dente” in a carrot sauce.

Organic Swiss cheese is produced locally as well.

Are you hungry yet?

(Merci':Gary Scott and Mademoiselle Sherry)