Chiles and Fruit--an Easy Snack

Photo by Zachary Popovsky

Chiles and Fruit--an Easy Snack!

by Victoria Challancin

In Mexico just about everything you can imagine is served with chile.  In addition to the savory dishes you might assume would contain chile, even candy and fruit benefit from a sprinkle--as any self-respecting school child knows.  On a recent trip to Los Angeles to visit my 21-year-old son, in fact, the one think he asked me to bring from Mexico was some tamarind and chile candy!

One of the recipes I tested for Marcela Valladolid in Season Two of Mexican Made Easy for Food Network was fruit popsicles to be served at her young son's birthday party episode.  To some of you it might seem strange that children would so love such a snack, but trust me, this is a beloved treat all over  Mexico.  And in these last days of summer, it seems to me a perfect offering on a hot day!

Galaxy Fruit Pops

(Recipe by Marcela Valladolid)

1 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cut into 1/2 -inch thick slices

Chile powder or chile powder with lime, for sprinkling

Lime wedges, for serving

Using cookie cutters or a paring knife, cut the fruit into desired shapes.

Insert wooden sticks into the pieces of fruit.

To serve:  Sprinkle the ends of the fruit with chile powder.  Put the popos on a plate, with the wooden sticks facing up for handles or stick the pops into a halved watermelon.  Serve with lime wedges.

Enjoy!

Serrano Chiles

©Victoria Challancin.  All Rights Reserved.