[marcia fernandez]

I recently moved to Vermont, and I wonder if there is a real Mexican restaurant and/or grocery store where one can buy the ingredients to cook this type of food. Any suggestions? Thank you

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by marcia fernandez

I recently moved to Vermont, and I wonder if there is a real Mexican restaurant and/or grocery store where one can buy the ingredients to cook this type of food. Any suggestions? Thank you

I'm thinking you'll have better luck buying ingredients than finding satisfying Mexican restaurant fare. You won't find a Mexican-oriented grocery, I don't believe, but many Vermont food co-ops carry a variety of high-quality and unusual ingredients.

Whereabouts in Vermont are you?

[marcia fernandez]

I live around Vergennes, but I am willing to drive anywhere to get culantro, tomatillos, tamales, mole, chiles, axiote, hoja santa, etc.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by marcia fernandez

I live around Vergennes, but I am willing to drive anywhere to get culantro, tomatillos, tamales, mole, chiles, axiote, hoja santa, etc.

Hmm, you can get some of those items at the Middlebury Co-op. They might be able to order some of the stuff they don't carry if you call ahead.

Really good pre-made tamales I have never found in a Vermont grocery, or anywhere in New England. When I used to visit my parents in Miami (my hometown, but now my parents meet me elsewhere because I don't even like visiting there), I used to travel home with a cooler of tamales from Calle Ocho.

Burlington and South Burlington have more specialty groceries than anywhere else in the state. Does anyone who lives up that way have recommendations?

[Summerz]

Welcome.

Also the Hannaford's in Middlebury has quite a good selection of Mexican produce.

We used to have an Amigo's eatery in Middlebury but sadly it closed.

(the best tortillas I ever had were made by my friend's Mom back in Colorado...good times)

[marcia fernandez]

hannafords, price chopper, and shaws mainly sell goya products, an unknown brand in mexico! a friend just called me to recommend tamales from costco; he says they are very good, we'll see

[68vette]

I'm sure you are a very judge, but the mexican food up here is horrible. There are people who say this and that about how good XXX restaurant is, but for anyone who has had real mexican food, there is nothing close up here. I have never tried COSTCO, but it's worth a try. As mentioned some of the co-ops may be able to get the ingredients you want. Some of the good grocery stores are willing to special order items as well. I have done this in the past, but your best bet may be to find a vender online who can ship the ingredients to you.

[marcia fernandez]

Guess I' ll have to grow my own herbs and peppers, look for some stuff in Canada and Massachussets, and order the rest either online or directly from Mexico. Oh, by the way, the tamales my friend recommended (from Costco) are quite good, and I found Herdez salsas (green is my favorite) in Price Chopper.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by marcia fernandez

Guess I' ll have to grow my own herbs and peppers, look for some stuff in Canada and Massachussets, and order the rest either online or directly from Mexico. Oh, by the way, the tamales my friend recommended (from Costco) are quite good, and I found Herdez salsas (green is my favorite) in Price Chopper.

You might enjoy speaking with Peter M, who works at the Rutland Natural Food Market (a/k/a The Co-op). He has lived in Spanish-speaking countries, taught Spanish in the US, and teaches cooking classes at The Co-op. He also prepares authentic Mexican and other Spanish dishes and serves them to customers.

Here is Peter's recipe for frijoles negros, which he made, along with other delish dishes, for some events I coordinated -- it had people drooling for more:

Sopa de frijoles negros

1 lb black beans
28 oz can plum tomatoes in juice, chopped
2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 large green pepper, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1 quart vegetable stock
2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp Mexican oregano
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt, to taste
2 ancho chilies, soaked, seeded, and chopped
2 TBL olive oil

PREPARATION:

1. Boil black beans in water to cover, adding more water if necessary. When beans are tender, add salt
2. Saute onions, peppers, & garlic in olive oil until tender. Add to beans & cooking liquid
3. Add tomatoes, chopped anchos, cumin, bay leaves, oregano, & vegetable stock
4. Simmer for 1.5 hours
5. Remove 1/4 of soup and blend in blender. Add back into soup
6. Taste for salt, adding more if necessary
7. Garnish with any of the following, alone or in combination: finely-chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, chopped hard-cooked eggs, lemon wedges (I serve it with chopped cilantro and vegan sour cream)

[quickdraw]

Burlington had one very good Mexican restaurant. I can't remember the name of it, but it was on Shelburne Road next to the large cinema multi-plex. It closed, probably due to a bad location.

Yet bad mexican food, like the place in Williston next to the movie theatres, thrives.