With Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) fast approaching on November 2 and observances starting on the weekend, I visited a long-time favorite and Oaxacan specialist, La Soledad Bakery. This time of year the bakery is pan de muerto central with many styles and sizes baked fresh daily. I bought an assortment to try. My favorite was the pan de lágrimas, meaning bread of tears, and found this explanation of the spiritual symbolism of the decorative features.
https://www.facebook.com/TaquizasElCh...
La Soledad has calaveras (sugar skulls), masks, and other holiday decor. I admired the ofrenda. I also picked up an excellent tamal de hoja de platano, filled with a generous amount of shredded chicken bathed in mole negro, $2.75, for my lunch. This is also the place to buy Oaxacan mole paste for preparation at home, tlayudas, or chapulines (grasshoppers).
La Soledad Bakery
617 E Alisal St
Salinas, CA 93905
(831) 757-2696
Open daily
https://www.facebook.com/lasoledadbak...
by Jen Wheeler | Need a spring vegetable guide to what's in season? Consider this your spring produce cheat sheet—complete...
by Rachel Johnson | Whether the kids are still distance learning or returning to a classroom, with school back in session...
by Kelly Magyarics | You’ve sprung for a gorgeous piece of enameled cast iron cookware; protect your investment by cleaning...
by Debbie Wolfe | Home chefs love wood cutting boards because they are durable and reliable. Wood boards are attractive...