Move to Playa del Carmen Mexico

If you only know a little Spanish, like me, it’s very nice to have a list of food terms when you go to a grocery store or restaurant. Some of the restaurants have menus written in English, but many do not. I remember the day soon after we moved here that my hubby and I stood at the deli in the Mega store trying to figure out which of the meats was turkey. I wish I would have had this list then. I hope it will be helpful to you.

Carnes – Meats 

 Cabra: Goat
 Carne de Res: Beef
 Carnero: Lamb
 Hígado: Liver
 Jamón: Ham
 Lengua: Tongue
 Pavo: Turkey
 Pato: Duck
 Pollo: Chicken 
 Puerco: Pork
 Salchicha: Sausage
 Ternera: Veal
 Tocino: Bacon (sometimes salted pork)

Pescado Y Mariscos – Fish and Shellfish

 Abulón: Abalone
 Atún: Tuna
 Cabrilla: Sea Bass
 Calamar Squid
 Callos: Scallops
 Camarones: Shrimp
 Almejas: Clams
 Cangrejo or Jaiba: Crab
 Jurel: Yellowtail
 Pargo: Snapper
 Huachinango: Red Snapper
 Langosta: Lobster
 Ostiones: Oysters
 Pez Espada: Swordfish
 Tiburón: Shark
 Lenguado: Flounder or Sole

Legumbres – Vegetables

 Aceitunas: Olives
 Apio: Celery
 Arroz: Rice
 Betabeles: Beets
 Calabazas: Pumpkins or Squash
 Camotes: Sweet Potatoes
 Cebolla: Onion
 Cebollita: Green Onion
 Chícharos: Peas
 Champioñes: Mushrooms
 Ejotes: String Beans
 Elote: Corn on the Cob
 Ensalada: Salad
 Frijoles: Beans (cooked)
 Lechuga: Lettuce
 Maiz: Corn off the Cob
 Nopales: young Prickly Pear Cactus leaves
 Pepino: Cucumber
 Papas: Potatoes
 Rábano: Radish
 Repollo: Cabbage
 Tomate: Tomato
 Zanahoria: Carrot

Frutas Y Nueces – Fruits & Nuts

 Aguacate: Avocado
 Cacahuates: Peanuts
 Coco: Coconut
 Duraznos: Peaches
 Fresas: Strawberries
 Guayaba: Guava
 Higo: Fig
 Limón: Lime or Lemon
 Manzana: Apple
 Melón: Melon
 Naranja: Orange
 Nuez de Castilla: Walnuts 
 Pacanas: Pecans
 Piña: Pineapple
 Plátano: Banana
 Sandía: Watermelon
 Toronja: Grapefruit
 Uvas: Grapes

Bebidas – Drinks

 Agua: Water
 Aguardiente: Brandy
 Cafe: Coffee
 Cerveza: Beer
 Crema: Cream
 Ginebra:: Gin
 Jugo de Naranja: Orange Juice
 Leche: Milk
 Refrescos: Soft Drinks
 Ron: Rum
 Té Caliente: Hot Tea
 Té Helado: Iced Tea
 Vino Blanco: White Wine
 Vino de Champaña: Champagne
 Vino Rosado: Rose Wine
 Vino Tinto: Red Wine

Especias Y Condimentos – Spices & Condiments

 Ajo: Garlic
 Azucar: Sugar
 Canela: Cinnamon
 Cilantro: Fresh, Green Coriander
 Mantequilla: Butter
 Mayonesa: Mayonaise
 Miél: Honey
 Mostaza: Mustard
 Parejíl: Parsley
 Pimienta: Pepper
 Sal: Salt
 Vainilla: Vanilla

Postres y Dulces – Desserts & Sweets

 Bolillos: French-style Rolls
 Flan: Custard
 Galletas: Cookies
 Helado: Ice Cream
 Paleta: Flavored Ice on a Stick
 Pan Dulce: Sweet Bread
 Pastel: Cake
 Pay: Pie

Other Foods

 Avena: Oatmeal
 Caldo: Broth
 Fideos: Noodles
 Huevos: Eggs
 Pan: Bread
 Queso: Cheese
 Sopa: Soup

Did you know Mexico celebrates Columbus Day? We were surprised to find out that they do. On October 8th of this year (2007) Columbus Day will be celebrated in America as the day Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492. However, in Mexico this day is celebrated on October 12th and is known as Día de la Raza, the Day of the Race. Let me give you a little background.

You may remember from school that Christopher Columbus, an Italian seafarer  of the 15th century, believed he had found a better trade route to India. Although it took him eight years, he finally convinced the Spanish Queen Isabella to finance his journey, and he left Spain with 3 small ships, La Niña, La Pinta, and La Santa María. After a long and difficult trip, all three ships landed on an island in the Bahamas on October 12th, 1492. Chris thought he had reached India (which is why native Americans were called “Indians” for many years).

Many people believe that the Americas were actually discovered some time before Chris ever landed. However, he claimed the new land in the name of the Spanish monarchy and was the first to establish continual contact and eventual trade between the Americas and Europe.

About 30 years later, Hernán Cortés conquered Mexico which then became a colony of Spain for the next 300 years. The indigenous people intermarried with the Spanish and eventually a new race was born. This is what Mexicans celebrate on October 12th: the historical origins of the Mexican race. In 1928 the Día de la Raza was declared an official national holiday by the Mexican Congress.