There are more than just places to eat at the Grand Central Market, in downtown Los Angeles just south of the Million Dollar Theatre at Broadway and Third Street.Inside the market, there are vendors of spices and dry goods whose stock is worth checking out.
This stall sells traditional Mexican mole paste, in bulk. You can ask for an eighth or a quarter of a pound, and they will spoon it out into containers for you.Here's a stall that sells herbs, dried chiles and other flavorings. Old school!
In the center of the lower level, Valeria's spices displays cases of dried chiles, herbs, beans, and other exotic flavorings, including dried camarones, or shrimp.
Here are cases of different kinds of chiles - from New Mexico chiles to dried, smoked chipotles, you can buy there here by weight.
What a great way to buy spices! You can touch, feel, and smell everything right there! The guys in the stall are really helpful, making it easy to try new things.
More offerings from Valerias. If you're in Los Angeles, you really should visit!
Dried shrimp?
ReplyDeleteThe only things I've heard of before like that are sea monkeys!
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Stores like this have such an incredible feel. They define their neighborhoods and become anchors of community life there.
ReplyDeleteI hope the chain stores and big boxes don't take these away from us.
Oh, man I got some mole with almonds there that is so complex and wonderful...I make enmoladas, which are like enchiladas but with mole instead. Mmmmm.
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