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Dulce De Leche, Impending Diabetes: Not Just For Latinoids!

Noticed how some of your favorite Latin desserts seem to be popping up in more and more chain restaurants? Us either, since we only eat Top Ramen and McDonald’s. But, ok! If you say so:

Check out the sweets in the grocery stores: Häagen-Dazs offers dulce de leche ice cream in regular and light versions, and at Costco there are gigantic Key lime cheesecakes.

Eh? Since when are key lime cheesecakes Latin?

Stroll through the treat booths at county fairs, amusement parks and sports stadiums and you’re sure to see churros, plain or with caramel sauce.

How sweet it is: Mainstream America has developed an insatiable craving for desserts from Latin America.

Totally sweet! Now is only we could convince people to stop pronouncing “dulce de leche” as “doolchay de leche.” Soft C, people. Soft, creamy, delicious C.

“At first there was a lot of misunderstanding,” Brown said. “Everyone thought that Tex-Mex was Latin cuisine. They thought just because Cubans, Mexicans and Spaniards spoke the same language we ate the same. But we are separated by regional differences.”

But we all eat our Frosted Flakes with leche condensada, right? Guys? Right?! Mmm, we can almost taste our pancreas’ screams. Luckily, some chefs are seeking to create Latin American-inspired desserts with healthy ingredients to make them delectably boring:

Diaz-Brown creates treats using fresh tropical fruits, low-fat and nonfat milk products and zero-calorie sweeteners, addressing the issue of Hispanics’ genetic predisposition to heart disease and diabetes.

Mmm fruit and nonfat dairy. Would go great covered in chocolate. Anyway, which desserts would you like to see more of in U.S. restaurants and supermarkets? We think Hershey’s should start making chocolate-covered alfajores and that a McTocinillo del Cielo is in order. What do you think?

Americans have grown sweet to Latin desserts [OC Register]

In Brazil they make a chocolate bar filled with leche condensada (or leite condensado, if you will), and it was the most delicious white creamy explosion in my mouth… yeah, ever.

Posted by Marco | June 06, 2008

@ Marco: Send one to me?

Posted by Latin_Princess | June 06, 2008

Did anyone try the short-lived dulce de leche m&m? Or mojito gum? Nasty.

Posted by Mia | June 06, 2008

no, not Frosted Flakes.. it’s Zucaritas
it’s sooo good with fresh squeezed leche de vaca. [yum my favorite breakfast in Mexico!]

Check it out:
http://home.grandecom.net/~amylee/sept04/zucaritas.jpg

Posted by la roncha | June 06, 2008

I love the goodies at my local panaderia. I bring them to work sometimes and, for some reason, my coworkers think I make them from scratch. I lie and say I do, natch.

Posted by Latin_Princess | June 06, 2008

How about deep-fried, chocolate covered cuy?

Posted by Bosrican | June 06, 2008

I like artisenal candy… like dulce de coco.. mmmm. But really I’d like to see some more desserts in latin american cuisine restaurants other than flan. That’s annoying. BTW Ultra Volta Argetine Gelato is the bestest most delicious desert ever…other than me.

Posted by Lulu | June 06, 2008

Gansitos!

@la roncha: mmmmmmzucaritas. i miss those! but then again i can’t have anything that sweet anymore. it’ll kill me.

Posted by el smrtmnky | June 06, 2008

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Dulce de leche has NOTHING on leche quemada/cajeta. You’ve been served.

Posted by La Cindy | June 06, 2008

I haven’t had cajeta in forever!
…cajeta with pancakes is the best!

Posted by la roncha | June 06, 2008

OOohhh…how ‘bout chocolate-covered salditas…??? I don’t know why, but that actually sounds kinda good right now in an extreme sweet/salty kinda way.

Posted by crafty chica | June 06, 2008

Dulce de Leche is ALWAYS pronounced Doll-chay day Lay-chey nowadays. So stupid!!!! I just want to scream “IT’S DOOOOOOOOL-SEH, OKAY? DOOL-SEH!”

Posted by o sea, que? | June 06, 2008

@ Marco
I better not go to Brazil…I’ll be conflicted as to what kind of creamy white explosion I want in my mouth.

Posted by escobar | June 07, 2008

Anybody ever have natilla? I’ve never had it here, but I used to LOVE it in Mexico.

Posted by escobar | June 07, 2008

True story: When I was little my abuela would make me natilla de chocolate by adding Nestle’s Quik.

I still have her make it for me sometimes.

Natilla on its own = wonderful
Natilla con Quik = EARTH SHATTERING

As for my favorite: Merenguitos right from the bakery. The kind that are a little bit crisp on the edges byt gooey white marshmallowey joy on the inside. MMMMMMMMMMM.

Posted by ChaCha | June 09, 2008