Beach Snackables

The snacks here are so damn good that I'm going to have to break them up into categories. First up, beach snacks. My first few days in Rio were spent mostly on the beaches of Leblon and Ipanema and I was immediately enamored by the limitless number of goodies being sold at the beach (ok, the limitless number of hot people was pretty impressive as well). Raise your hand, yell out an "oi!" and without moving from your beach chair you're noshing in no time. These are my favorite beach vendors so far:


1. Grilled cheese on a stick: Man comes by with his portable toaster, puts a slab of "queijo de coalho" on a stick, grills it right in front of you, dips it in a can of oregano, and bam! Cheese popsicle.

2. Açai: That cool berry only found in its most delicious state in Brazil. A bit grainy but so refreshing and filling. The best are at Bibi Sucos (a juice stand off the beach), so grab yours and hit the sand or get one from her:

3. Sucole: Fruit puree frozen in a plastic baggie.  Poke a hole and suck. Heh heh. Coconut and passion fruit-mango rocked my world.

3. Globos: So these cracker like things have the same name as the major communications medium here, but I can't quite figure out the connection. Maybe they're both full of air. Choose from sweet or savory, these donut shaped creations are crunchy and strangely satisfying.

4. Agua de Coco: My favorite, coconut water. Ask for one of these and the seller yells across the beach to the barraca at the top of his lungs, and his or her partner echos it back. Makes it feel like a grandiose operation. When you're finished you can ask homeboy to cut it up with his machete and the coconut meat is all yours!

5. Matte: Believe it or not, I'm off my coffee addiction (if my ex-coworkers are reading this I'm sure they are wondering what a fright I must be in the morning NOW). It's all thanks to the matte. Get it at the stands on the street and it's a little stronger, but on the beach it's still a great pick-me-up.


To be continued in Salvador...