The Tamale is a Typical Mexican Dish – Part 1 – Food Variety 34

We “wrongly” called “Mexican foods” for traditional Mesoamericans or Latin American dishes. The reason, may be just for “simplicity.”

Fig 01- The Tamales, wrapped in banana leaves.

There are plenty of Mexican foods sold commercially in the USA. You probably know or ever consume some of them:

- Tamale

- Tacos

- Tostadas

- Chiles en nogada

- Enchiladas

- Nachos

Fig 02- A little building, Just for illustration

One of my favorites is a Tamale. The way its cook is interesting for me, it is steamed with wrapping.

The “material” for wrapping is taken from nature, it could be one of these natural materials:

- banana leaf

- corn husk

Fig 03 – Another type of Tamale, wrapped with corn husk

# To be continued to Part 2

# Previous postings:

- Injured Hawk on the Yard – Critter 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why does Oil Price Go Negative in the Market? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Public Education from the Rose Society – Sign 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 2 - Critter 20 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Hibiscus Blooming in December - Gardening and Hobby 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Irradiated Mangoes in the USA – Sign 45

We saw for the first time the word “Irradiated” was stuck on a mango, sold at the Mexican store recently. Then, we try to find out what the meaning is, and who put the sticker.

Fig 01- An irradiate mango from Mexico

Just to remind, we have previous postings about mangoes:

- Fresh Mangoes in the US Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fresh Mango in the US Market – Part 2 - Food Variety 25 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Moreover, all mangoes must be “irradiated” if they want to be exported to the USA markets. The main purpose is to make sure that pests such as fruit flies not cross to American border.

Fig 02- Irradiated mangoes at the Mexican store

Two methods of treatments to get rid of pest from mangoes:

1) Using hot water

2) Using irradiation treatments

Fig 03- Mango Criollo (Creole)

Co-60 gamma rays are used to irradiate mangoes. Larvae are prevented to be further develop as adults.

As reported by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023: Food Irradiation) that “food irradiation is safe.”

Fig 04- Mangoes, ready to consume

Have you tasted irradiated mangoes?

# Previous postings:

- Is America still Nation Producing Cotton? | Tanza

- Hay Stacks in the Small Farmer Market – Part 1

- Duskywings Butterfly in the Southern States – Critter 23 | Tanza Erlambang

- A Flower Called Cat’s Ear Dandelion – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 26

- Injured Hawk on the Yard – Critter 24 | Tanza

Egret at the Neighborhood Park – Critter 39

We have a kind of forest park, a pond and a dog park at our neighborhood. Sure, plenty of birds flying over the park and many critters swimming in and on the pond.

Fig 01- An egret at a quite distance.

A couple day ago, the weather was beautiful, the sunny days with temperature at F 73* (C 23*) degree.

It was such a great way to start the day. We had such a pleasant walk at the Forest Park, dog park and Pond.

We saw a lot of people were walking, playing with balls (tennis), and a few at the dog park.

An egret was sitting on the rail, and plenty of them on the other side of pond. More far away.

Fig 02- One of corners at neighborhood

We don’t think it is fishing pond, but some people do fishing. We have no idea the species of fish in its.

Unfortunately, we saw dead fish in the pond, and other side of pond were Egrets. They may consume these dead fish.

Fig 03- Dead fish on the pond

Do you know a kind of foods consumed by Egret?

# Previous postings:

- Why are these Foods Stolen?- Part 2 –Food Variety 23

- Pollinators which Love Coleus Plants – Critter 22 |

- Do you Know Cardio Kickboxing? - Sign 24 | Tanza

- Fresh Mangoes in the US Market – Food Variety 25

- Is America still Nation Producing Cotton? | Tanza

Ripening Wild Tomatoes from Yards - Gardening and Hobby 34

We talked about volunteer (rough) plants in the backyards during warmer seasons. In our case, we have an unexpected watermelon plant which produced sweet fruit.

Fig 01– Some wild tomatoes

You may read the previous post:

- A Wild Watermelon Growing at Yards – Food Variety 33 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Recently, we have other volunteer plants, tomatoes. We believe “certain birds donated several plants this year from stealing tomatoes from our backyard garden last year or somewhere else recently.”

Love when that happens repeatedly. Is this exciting or what? We have about three tomato plants that are volunteers this year so far.

Fig 02- A Rose-breasted grosbeck

Based on internet searching, we may find there are plenty species of birds consume tomatoes.

Fig 03- A bluebird, sitting at the corner

We have noticed some of these birds visiting our yard. Just few examples are Rose-breasted grosbeck, Bluebird, Cardinal, Mockingbird and Robin.

Fig 04- The volunteer tomatoes

Few postings about birds at our neighborhood:

- A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29 | Tanza

- The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34 |

- Mockingbird’s Eggs Near my House – Critter 36 | Tanza

- An Indigo Bunting was Seen on Feeder – Critter 37 | 

Fig 05- Tomatoes start to ripe

Have you planted tomatoes?

# Previous postings:

- The Fiber Art in Our Community – Sign 23 | Tanza

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases?- Heart 11

- A Gator in the Neighborhood’s Lake – Critter 21 |

- Edible Mushroom in the World – Food Variety 24 |

- Why are these Foods Stolen? - Food Variety 23

A Pollinator of the Black Jack flower – Critter 38

A couple years ago, I saw blooming of Black Jack flower on the river banks of our neighborhood.

Image 1- A common pollinator of the Black Jack flower

In addition to Black Jack, the flower with scientific name Bidens pilosa, has many common names such as cobblers pegs, hitch hikers, farmer's friends, Spanish needle and Beggarticks.

Unfortunately, It seems the flowers disappeared from the river banks for this year, luckily, we have observed in our neighborhood. They are planted as a home garden flower.

Interestingly, we may find this flower blooming in many tropical and subtropical countries around the world, spreading from its origin areas of South America.

Image 2- Wild Black Jack flowers

There are plenty of pollinators for Black Jack flowers, some of major pollinators Bees, Butterflies, Moth and Syrphid (Diptera).

Based on GoogleID, The pollinator on image 1 and image 3 is Bumbblebee. It is powerful pollinator for many plants.

Image 3- A pollinator on the Black Jack flower

Have you seen Black Jack flowers in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 1 - Critter 20

- The Fiber Art in Our Community – Sign 23 | Tanza Erlambang

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 2 – Heart 11

- A Gator in the Neighborhood’s Lake – Critter 21 | Tanza Erlambang

- Edible Mushroom in the World – Food Variety 24 | Tanza Erlambang

The Food Trucks at the Market of a Countryside – Sign 44

We stop by at a market of a countryside when lunchtime. We saw several food trucks sell variety of foods, local and international flavors.

Fig 01- The food truck at the market of a countryside

There was a big sign “Big J’s, Country Cajun Cooking” at one of trucks. Since there is a word “Cajun.” hence we assumes that the trucks sell local Louisiana foods.

Some of favorite traditional Cajun dishes are:

- Jambalaya

- Gumbo

- Baudin Sausage

- Wild duck, Alligator, Boiled crawfish and Pecan pie

Fig 02- One of food sold by Food Truck, Nachos

We love to consume Jambalaya and Gumbo. In case you don’t know, Jambalaya is a rice base dish, sure, with specific Louisiana taste. Gumbo is a kind of soup with a little portion of rice in its.

Fig 03- A food truck and residents

Yes, Louisiana people consume rice, and Louisiana is one of states produce rice in America.

Unfortunately, we can’t find “cajun dishes” instead of other foods such as Nachos and burgers.

Fig 04- Consumers waiting their orders

Do you like food trucks?

# Previous postings:

- Jersey Giant Roosters Look Like Hens – Critter 19

- Why are These Types of Foods Stolen? - Part 1 – Food Variety 23

- Halloween Wreath Business in Neighborhood – Sign 22

- Have You Tasted Pistachio Muffins? - Part 2 – Food Variety 22

- Do You Know that Your Cat Love you? - Part 1 - Critter 20

Is Tempeh Better than Tofu? - Part 2 – Food Variety 30

Like tofu, tempeh is also a good source of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Fig 01- Thick slices of Tempeh

As you might know that these minerals are important to our body to have normal function and maintain our health.

Tempeh has contained a little higher in calories with about 160 in half a cup, which makes it perfect for a quick protein and caloric boost!

We hate to say it, as we love both tofu and tempeh, but tempeh is the winner of this health food match-up.

That’s not to say we’ll be cutting tofu anytime soon, though—it’s wonderfully (and arguably more) versatile and so delicious!

Fig 02- Tempe as snacks, favorite in many developing countries

But if you’re looking for a health boost, tempeh is definitely the better option.

Which soybean product do you prefer? Tofu or tempeh? Share with us your favorite recipes!

Fig 03- Tempeh are wrapped with banana’s leaf.

# Previous postings:

- Snails as One of Popular Seafood – Sign 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- May Yogurt Reduce Risk of Heart Diseases? - Part 1 – Heart 11 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly – Critter 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- May Drink Coffee Regularly Improve Healthy Heart? - Part 2 - Heart 8 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Jersey Giant Roosters Look Like Hens – Critter 19 | Tanza Erlambang Update