Imagine the face of a popsicle showcasing a fresh slice of fruit — like strawberry, kiwi, mango or pineapple— frozen to perfection inside a creamy concoction.
Yes, it's as delicious as it sounds. We're talking paletas.
A few weeks ago, we invited the owner of La Michoacana Superior, Nasser Shalabi, to join host Austin Cross on LAist 89.3's AirTalk to talk about paletas. What are they? Where are they from? And why are are they so darn good?
Mango, tamarind, cherry, oh my!
So what is a paleta exactly? Shalabi said it's essentially "ice cream in a stick!" They can be water or cream-based and are typically made with natural fruits, such as strawberry, mango and coconut among many others. Shalabi's paletas are cream-based, while other paleta recipes can include condensed milk or yogurt.
The flavors may start with fresh fruit, but that's not where they end, according to Shalabi, whose paleta shop offers 80 flavors including "oreo molido," "smoky horchata," and even "tequila." Nuts and cookies can also be included.
"We try to emphasize on the face of the paleta what we're putting inside," said Shalabi, whose father is Palestinian and mother is Mexican. His family has been in the Latino supermarket business since the 1970s. "We know the ins and outs," he added, "and saw that the paletas were selling all over the place."
Born in Mexico
Paletas have their roots in Mexico. "Every state in Mexico has a specialty item," Shalabi said. "Michoacán is known for their carnitas and their paletas." Hence the name of his paleta business, "La Michoacán Superior."
While the exact roots of the paletas are unclear (some say paletas date as far back as the Aztecs), what is clear is that the water and cream-based treat has been beloved in Mexico for generations. It seems Southern California has caught on.
Where to find paletas this summer
So now you're craving the frozen dessert, we have some suggestions for where to get them:
First, La Michoacán Superior, Shalabi's shop, has four locations: Duarte, Monrovia, La Puente and Inglewood.
If you find yourself in Santa Monica or Culver City, you might check out Mateo's Ice Cream LA, which serves a variety of paletas.
And finally, if you're sweat-drenched and wandering the streets of Hollywood, seek out The Paleta Bar, where you can select your base and toppings. Tajin, anyone?
Luckily for Shalabi, his supply is endless, but so is the demand from his own family.
"I get requests all the time from my father, my kids...They say, 'Bring some paletas home!' and I always bring them home."
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