Explore the market in Ocotlán De Morelos with Amy Shuster and visit Frida’s Kitchen. Subscribe to FoodieHub for more great Foodie videos: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFl6qnxDKT-jz30aKsDXjRg?sub_confirmation=1 and visit http://www.FoodieHub.tv. Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE! Download the FoodieHub app for the Essential Eats wherever you are on the planet! http://www.foodiehub.tv/app For more fantastic foodie content, connect with FoodieHub across social media: http://www.facebook.com/foodiehubtv http://www.twitter.com/foodiehub http://www.instagram.com/foodiehubtv http://www.pinterest.com/foodiehub https://plus.google.com/+FoodieHub Any visitor to Mexico should visit the cultural centre of Oaxaca in the South of Mexico. The city is a fine representation of the cultural diversity of Mexico, and is a regional landmark because of its ties to the heritage of many of the indigenous people and their vibrant cultures. Every culture (including Hispanic) brings its own offering and flavour to a city which is widely admired, respected, and sometimes worshipped by both its residents and visitors. Oaxaca gets its name from the entire Southern region in which it lies, given by one of the many ancient cultural groups that existed in the area during the time of la conquista. When the Spanish first landed they were astounded by the great structures that the indigenous people had made out of the green stone that is found in the foothills of the Sierra Madre, the very mountain range with which Oaxaca has protected itself for thousands of years. Since Oaxaca’s ancient conception, its people have used the city as a place to share wares, food and laughter. Nestled within the centre of Oaxaca lies the Ocotlán Market, a colourful, hustle and bustle filled with local delicacies, fresh produce, arts and crafts. Ocotlán Market has existed for as long as the original colonial square has been in existence. While the old Spanish square would have been the sight of public hangings as well as the wholesale of local farm crops, the modern rendition of the market is a lot friendlier. Locals flock to the market to get their hands on ingredients like apples, onions, cornflour and even live animals like chickens and guinea pigs, all destined for the cooking pot. The market is also one of the most attractive locations for tourists. Apart from being able to see how the locals interact, in what may be confused as one enormous family gathering, the wandering tourist can sample local delicacies like enfrijoladas. Enfrijoladas can be summed up as the Mexican version of an Italian lasagne. Corn tortillas are rolled up around a mole and bean filling before they are placed in an ovenproof dish. Topped with cheese the enfrijoladas are grilled until tender, juicy and filled with the heady flavoured mole. Visiting Ocotlán Market will also have the tourist sampling other local favourites like the local estofado stew or the Spanish picadillo. If you happen by Ocotlán Market then make sure you visit the restaurant named after Frida Kahlo de Rivera. If you are only a little familiar with Mexican history and art, Frida is the celebrated artist who is famous for her self-portraits in which she emphasised her raw emotion very openly on canvas, a contradiction to the way in which women were so commonly depicted in the 1930’s. Because her work was celebrated she became an icon for the indigenous American cultures, feminists and even communists. (And yes, Frida is the Mexican woman with the dominant eyebrows that you’ll come across in many renditions of her original paintings). Take a look at Frida’s biography here: http://www.biography.com/people/frida-kahlo-9359496 Ocotlán Market is not just about food, it’s also about people. And where there is meal being shared between friends it’s often what epitomises happiness. Follow FoodieHub’s YouTube channel to see our food critics travel the globe in search of new flavours, new foods and new family. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFl6qnxDKT-jz30aKsDXjRg Or check out the FoodieHub website here: http://www.foodiehub.tv/

• published: 06 Nov 2015
• views: 96