There you go again - The Perfect Guacamole

(This really has nothing to do with the post)

Since I was a trainee in San Luis Las Carretas, guacamole has been a part of my Peace Corps experience. Guatemalans normally just mash an avocado and mix in salt and possibly mint and eat with a tortilla. Our training group enjoyed making elaborate guacamole and I've decided to share with you the San Luis special. This guac can be eaten with tortillas, tostadas or my favorite (thanks Julia) - a soft corn tortilla topped with refried beans, guacamole and hot sauce - has been dinner more than a few times. Unfortunately, avocado season passed maybe 3 weeks ago. Now I have to travel two hours to buy more expensive avocados (which went from 1q to between 2.5q - 5q).




The Perfect Guacamole

4 large avocados, peeled and seeded
3 small tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 jalapeños, seeded and chopped
Juice of 1 lime (lemon can substitute)
3 cilantro stems, chopped
salt to taste
chile cobanero (optional)

Mash avocados and combine with remaining ingredients. Mix so that there are no large chunks of avocado. Serve with warm tortillas.

To Everything There Is A Season - Campur Vegan Smoothies

To everything there is a season and the political season has begun in both the US and Guatemala. As a volunteer, I'm not allowed to comment on Guatemalan politics, though I will say that I hope for a fair and violence free election (same goes for the American election). As an American, I have free rein on American politics (I think), and I won't say much, but I will remind you of a time when needs of the poor were openly discussed by at least one party, political discourse was a bit more amiable and ideological purity was less important than having a functioning government that served everyone.


(When Liberals were Liberals)

Now back to the real point of this blog, food. It is currently mango, watermelon and avocado season here in Campur. Eaten separately, these fruits are amazing, but combined, they become super amazing. Adding cilantro and ginger to this recipe has health benefits as well, cilantro helps to take out toxins from the body and ginger has anti-fungal properties. They both add a bit of a punch to any drink mixture. It is best to use fruits that are extremely ripe (but not rotten), as their natural sugars will sweeten the smoothie. Also, a very sweet watermelon can takes the place of regular sugar and water. Add an avocado in place of milk, though it adds a weird color to the mix if the smoothie is left in the air too long.


(Doña Modesta - Her family sells the best watermelons in town, big and sweet for about 2 dollars)

Campur Vegan Smoothies





flesh of 1/2 of watermelon, seeded and chopped
2 avocados, peeled and seeded
2 bananas, peeled
2-3 large mangoes, peeled and seeded
juice of 1 lime or lemon
1-2 inches of ginger, peeled and chopped
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until all ingredients have been well processed.


(Please ignore the unmade bed in the background.)

Serves 8.