Paletas Please!

May 24, 2011

When the weather begins to warm up, you are immediately called to the frozen treats section of the grocery store or to the local ice cream parlor.  Some of us enjoy a bowl of ice cream while others prefer an ice pop.  I indulge in a paleta.

Paletas are a Mexican frozen treat that are enjoyed all year round.  The word “paleta” is derived from “palo” which means stick.  Essentially, paletas are Mexican ice pops.  The ice box is filled with brightly colored pops and you are always confronted with the difficult decision of which flavor to choose.

Paletas come in a variety of flavors and can be made from fruits, nuts, spices and even flowers.  They have a smooth consistency which is sometimes accented with chunks of fruit to add texture.

These frozen treats can be made with just fresh fruit and sweetener or some add milk for richness.  If you do not have a paletería near your house, you can make them at home.  All you need is an ice pop mold, fruit and a freezer.  Use this recipe as a starting point and then experiment with your own exotic flavor combinations by adding flowers like hibiscus or spices like chile powder.

Blackberry Paletas

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups rinsed, drained blackberries
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons sugar

For full recipe, click below

Blackberry Paletas

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