Maxwell Street Market -- First Timer

I finally made it over to Maxwell Street Market (I really don't know what took me so long!) I browsed Dick Hammond's guide before going and while I was sure I didn't want an eyeball taco, I was very interested in a Oaxacan tamal (which I had not tried while visiting Oaxaca).

I was excited when my tamal arrived, big and green, atop the banana leaf it was cooked in. The masa was a little crumblier than a regular tamal and there was salsa verde mixed throughout. The chicken pieces were large and moist. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but despite its impessive appearance, the flavor was just ok. There was nothing wrong with it, but I got bored of it after a few bites and started looking longingly at my neighbor's meaty tacos. Ah well, I'm still glad I tried it.

Further south, I stopped at a stand (and forgot to note the vendor's name-- d'oh!) making quesadillas with freshly-made tortillas. I couldn't resist stopping for one with flor de calabasa. What a treat! The tortilla was a little thicker than usual, giving it a nice earthy taste and texture. The cheese was fresh and a little salty, and the cooked mixture of blossoms and vegetables (spinach or quelites maybe?) added a layer of tangyness. It was just what I wanted.

Unfortunately, the extreme heat was a limiting factor on my appetite, so I'll have to make another trip for further exploration. I washed my meal down with a Mexican coke: corn syrup or not, it was refreshing.