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Ice cream and I go way back. I vividly remember the excitement of my sisters and I when my dad would pile us into the front bench seat of the old Buick station wagon, with no car seats in sight (after all, it was the 60’s), for ice cream. We were headed out to get our favorite treat, Thrifty Ice Cream. We’d all get Rainbow Sherbert for 5¢ a scoop! Those were the days.
These days, I am excited for more interesting and unusual flavors at gourmet ice cream, paleta, and gelato shops. Here in Peñasco, we are lucky to have an array of choices in the world of sweet, cold treats, from traditional American ice cream to local made Mexican paletas and nieve de garrafas, and now with the opening of La Heladeria, with exceptional gelato.
For years here in Peñasco, we have been big fans of the paletas or fresh popsicles and ice creams at La Michoacana. With exotic paleta flavors like mango, coconut, tamarind, and all the traditional ice creams of chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, there is something for everyone. The story of paletas originates in the Michoacan state of Mexico, where the company that has spread paletas all over Mexico and the US, got its start. The shops painted a bright, cheery pink are emblazoned with the La Michoacana logo of la Niña, or the little girl in her traditional dress, presiding over dozens of flavors. My favorite paletas are studded with chunks of fresh fruit like strawberries and kiwis, as well as 2 versions of coconut, one with coconut water and one with coconut milk.
We now have a new favorite after dinner dessert destination at La Heladería Gelato. Located on the curve of Benito Juarez next to our favorite fish monger, Jessy’s Fish Market (where the road goes up Whale Hill on the way to the Malecon), this is the place for amazing homemade gelato. Owners Luz Villaseñor and her husband Daniel Magallon are often accompanied by their daughter Danna as they create the amazing gelato flavors, run the store and scoop the creamy treats into cones or cups or fresh fish shaped waffle cones for their eager guests. I was blown away by the real goat milk caramel cajeta gelato, friends are wild for the whiskey and partner loves the old-time vanilla. Luz and Daniel, along with sister Esmeralda, traveled to central Mexico to study gourmet gelato making. Their commitment to the finest ingredients flavored by their amazing additions has catapulted them to a loyal local following. Luz says “offering a higher quality ice cream by carefully selecting the ingredients we use is key. The best part is meeting people, being part of the community, sharing something we are passionate about and seeing how others appreciate it”. She says their most popular flavors are the mascarpone cheese with blackberry marmalade, the Rocky Point with its intense chocolate studded with white and dark chocolate chips, and the banana split with chocolate, strawberry marmalade, cajeta, and vanilla. WOW! Stop by and get 2 scoops for the price of one; that way, you can sample several of their tantalizing flavors.
Additionally, around town in Peñasco, you will see men pushing carts bearing the words nieve de garrafas. Our local friends introduced us this traditional home-made ice cream treat that originated in Mexico, with each region having it own specialty flavors and unique combinations from corn to mamey, guanabana and avocado. This nieve or ice cream got its name from the garrafa or wooden bucket that was filled with the flavorful ingredients and then surrounded by ice to create this frozen treat.
With so many wonderful ways to indulge your sweet tooth here in our little seaport of Puerto Peñasco, what’s your favorite ice cream style and flavor? We are headed out to La Heladería to try more of their amazing creations. Enjoy!
