Painted Huajes and Jicaras (Gourds)

The markets in the oaxaca region are well worth going to for several reasons.  The first is that the prepared food is outstanding--if nothing else, get several tamales to try (the ideal situation is to go with several people so that you can share them, and maximize the tasting possibilities), and try at least one plate of warm corn tortillas covered with a mole (the colorado mole is my favorite).  I think second would be the opulence of the fresh fruits and vegetables if I were actually doing my own cooking, but since I was not on my recent trip, the next best reason to be in a market is to be able to see, appreciate, and buy the numerous things that others have made.

I was particularly intrigued by the half gourds that are used to serve the traditional beverage, tejate.   Tejate has an unusual taste and is made from a whole host of local ingredients including corn, seeds, rosita flowers and cacao beans.

This traditional Oaxacan drink can be seen being made in the markets where the ingredients get beaten together and are then served very cold in a traditional Tejate cup, a 'jícara'. It is very intimidating to look at (especially if one is already working to avoid drinking the water or anything that might have been washed in it), and very hard to describe what it tastes like--but the beauty of the jicaras is undeniable--traditionally they are painted with a red background, but you can on occasion see them painted other colors, then decorated with flowers and swan-like birds.