The pride of the coast: fresh ceviche!
For a rather small country, Ecuador has a boatload of different cuisines.
Fried trout — a lunch tipico!
On the coast, you’re pretty much eating fish for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’m not kidding.
Fish & plantains ..Breakfast of champions!
Our most memorable meal was a croquette of plantain-encrusted fish, served to us in the middle of the ocean – complete with cold beer and hot, fresh coffee that were all handed over the bow.
Ecuadorian take-out!
Unfortunately, I can’t report on the crab and clam scene that was readily available on the coast since I don’t really eat those shellfish – and yes, I do realize that makes me a food moron. Sorry…
Pata de Mula — or mule’s foot clam — really HUGE!
In the Sierra Highlands, it was pure vegetable heaven – with legumes, rice and greens served up in plain or extraordinary style.
Every lunch starts with sopa .. this one was lentil…
…followed by this gorgeous melange!
The most delicious meal we had was a staggering breakfast of eggs, papaya, queso, frijoles, cassava, coffee, juice, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn muffins at the family house where we stayed overnight. Homemade food is always the sweetest.
But I have to say, the dazzling array in the Ambato Mercado on the last day of my travels for Heifer was some of the most beautiful food I’ve seen all year. 
From tree tomatoes (a taste cross between oranges and tomatoes)…
…to cane sugar …
…to ever-present maize…
…it was a sensory overload…
…always offered with a smile.
Fingers flying through the fava beans!
So … ¡Buen provecho! (good appetite)… Adios, sweet Ecuador…
And Happy New Year!!
Heifer 12 x 12 