There have been many highlights of Mexico so far – the friendliness of the people, the consistently beautiful weather, and the good surf, for example. Without a doubt, however, one of the things we’ve enjoyed the most is the food. Nearly everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve found fresh food that is prepared very well for really reasonable prices.
Fresh pescado starting to grill
In Chacala, one of the beachfront restaurants specializes in Pescado Zarandeado (or sometimes spelled Sarandeado). Pescado means fish, and Zarandeado refers to a chile and tomato marinade combined with grilling over wood coals.
Grilling over mesquite coals
After walking into the restaurant and asking for Zarandeado, we were brought over to a cooler to pick out the fish we’d like from the selection brought in that morning by the local panga fishermen. Once we chose, the cook marinated the fish before splitting it longitudinally into three pieces – one of each side and one with the backbone. Each piece was clamped into a wire tray and then grilled over mesquite coals.
The result, if you like to eat fish, is otherworldly. The chile/tomato marinade lends the fish an unbelievable richness, while the wood from the grill imbues the dish with a deep smokiness.
Mmmmm!
Accompanied with fresh handmade corn tortillas, the fish made for a memorable meal. We sat at our beachfront table, digging our toes into the sand, while we picked the bones of the fish clean from every last morsel. Enough fish for two of us came to about $12, and a few drinks added to the mean brought our total up to $16 or so.
Best fish ever!
