Unsatisfactory dinner parties & Some Good Street Food from Panama

A very good friend reminded me how unsatisfactory dinner parties could be and the cause of much grief. She told me how upset a few guests were at a dinner they attended during the carnival days here in the city. The problem, she said, was the eccentricity of the dishes which were not catered to the crowd. Anyhow, it reminded me of the following quote:

They make a rare Soop they call Pepper-Pot; its an excellent Breakfast for a Salamander, or a good preparative for a Mountebanks Agent, who Eats Fire one day, that he may get better Victuals the next. Three Spoonfuls so Inflam'd my Mouth, that had I devour'd a Peck of Horse-Radish, and Drank after it a Gallon of Brandy and Gunpowder, I could not have been more importunate for a Drop of Water to cool my Tongue. (Edward Ward 1667-1731)

That being said, let me show you what I found the other day while visiting La Chorrera, a city 30 minutes from Panama City, during their annual State fair.

I normally go there during the last days to purchase organic roses and orchids, as they have an array of "viveros" or greenhouses just for the event, AND...during those last days they offer better prices. For example, here in the city the orchids are sold for $25.00 US, at the state fair the same ones are sold for $15.00 each and the last day you can get them for $10.00! The roses and other flowers /plants are very inexpensive there, you can get them for $1.00 - $8.00 according to the size.

I remember four streets full of little improvised restaurants or "fondas" and many people walking selling their goodies too. The offering was mostly regional food, the kind that is prepared in the countryside with all the spices and traditional methods they have been using for decades.

In the photo to the left, the sign of the vendor reads "Rey del Tasajo." Tasajo is a kind of smoked seasoned meat, which is air-dried, then heated in the grill and sliced. It is served with boiled or fried yuca (cassava) or patacones (fried plantain).