Two Sundays ago, one of the tianguis vendors suckered me into buying three mameys. I only wanted one. But he looked at me with these hangdog eyes and said, “Take two amiga. Por favor.”
Buying two was only five pesos more. It was like buying popcorn and a soda at the movies — supersize your combo for just a quarter extra. So I said fine: I’ll take two. He threw in a third for the same price.
A few days ago, I realized that I ever ate the darn things. I unearthed them from the refrigerator, and two had gone bad. But the other one was edible. I had been working at my computer since the morning and was in desperate need a pick-me-up, so I decided to make a licuado. Hard to believe I’ve never had a mamey licuado before, but it’s true. I hadn’t.
It ended up being the best mid-afternoon snack I’ve had in weeks. Thick and sweet like a milkshake, but without any ice cream at all. Just fruit and milk. The recipe is below. (If you want to call it that.)
I have to get back to work, but now my mind’s humming with all the other mamey possibilities. Mamey pudding… dairy-free mamey pudding… mamey mousse…
Mamey Licuado
Makes 1 serving
4.5 ounces of mamey, or about 1/2 cup
1 cup milk
Blend together until sufficiently pureed. Pour into a glass and serve.
Many ice cream stands also have mamey ice cream, one of my favorites. look for “Helados Michoacanos” ice cream stands, theres several in Puebla and Tlaxcalaand I suspect in Mexico City also.
i just did this as a (my salad wasn’t quite filling enough but i don’t want my meal to be outweighed by) dessert, with a big dash of cinnamon. picked me up indeed.
Yay! Glad you liked it. So easy, yet so delicious.
Hearing of a wasted mamey makes me want to cry. Throw in some Leche Condensada (Condensed Milk) and a pinch of salt and marvel at the greatest thing on earth. Repeat. All. The. Time.
Millie: I know, I know. Rotting mamey makes me want to cry too. I try not to make a habit of it. Adding leche condensada sounds fantastic — I’ll have to try that next time. Thanks for the tip!