Chowing Down in Coastal Ecuador - Part II

Food shopping in Ecuador is interesting. Supermaxi is just like our Publix or Kroger, although the location of some items is just plain strange. Yogurt comes in a bottle not little cups. And milk comes in a box, not a jug. And eggs are on a shelf. Not a refrigerated shelf. Okaaay then. On to the pics:

Even the kiddo had fun shopping

My milk in a box. Water in a bottle. And coffee in a jar :)

 Wash your veggies with this:

HiperMarket is similar to Super Walmart, they have everything there, and my husband and son lived for their fresh baked Pan de Pina (pineapple bread/roll), and other tasty goodies. The gals at the bakery counter recognized Ken after a few days, since he went there almost every morning! 

Gerardo Pinoagrote invited us to go with him to the LaLibertad Mercado - the best days to go according to Gerardo: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. If you are visiting the area or are new, please ask someone to take you to this market. It is well worth the visit! Gerardo took us to the vendors he uses, gave us great tips about buying, told us about preparing various fruits/veggies, who or what to avoid, etc. It was a wonderful morning!!

Chicken is sold with feet attached. I hear Star (from the YES Effect blog) loves chicken feet!

Plenty of grains/rice/beans:

Soda anyone?

Lots of fruits and veggies!

Shrimp purchased, 1 pound for $4.(we were so engrossed in the fresh seafood area we forgot to take pics-trust me, they had everything you could think of!) 

Here are pics of the fresh beef:

And herbs and spices galore:

Tumeric I think?

Our bounty:

The 4 tomatoes, 3 bell peppers, and 3 onions cost $1 total. The cilantro was 25 cents. Cucumber 25 cents. Pretty awesome huh!


So even though processed foods are very expensive, fresh produce and meat can be had for very little money. I am looking forward to my next visit! Who wants to join me?


Tami