I realize that many newcomers don't speak Spanish, and that makes going to the grocery store a bit of a challenge sometimes. Oh, a cucumber looks like a cucumber, whether the sign says pepino or cucumber... unless it's a white cucumber, then it looks more like a bleached zucchini.

 

I usually buy the regular green cukes, because they are what is available where I shop, but if you are are shopping in a Mercado, don't hesitate to buy the pepino blanco. Once you peel it, you will never notice a difference.

Someone with more knowledge of botany will have to explain why they look like they do, and any differences that exist, but for me it tastes like cucumber, and that is all I care about.

 

One area where it isn't so easy to guess is in the spice department, so I am reprinting my spice list for you. Molido means, "ground," and entero means, "whole." While grano means, "grain," if you are buying ground coffee it's molido but whole coffee is en grano... not frijol. Another food term that doesn't translate is brown rice; it's arrozo intergral. Whole wheat flour is harina integral, too. If you ask for arroz cafe or arroz moreno, who knows what you will get.

 

That all being said and done, here is my spice list. These are the spices I actually have in my cupboard right now. The spices and herbs in red were imported, and the rest bought locally. As an interesting aside, you can also buy tumeric root in the grocery store, but then it's known as raize de safron instead of curcuma.

 

Allspice, Whole = Pimienta Tabasco en Grano
Anise Seed = Anis Semilla
Basil = Albahaca
Bay Leaves = Hojas de Laurel
Cardamom, Ground = Cardamomo molido
Cardamom, Whole = Cardamomo entero
Caraway Seed = Semilla de Alcaravea
Cayenne = Chile piquin molido
Cilantro = Cilantro
Cinnamon = Canela
Cloves, Whole = Clavo entero
Coriander Seeds = Semilla de cilantro
Cumin, Ground = Cumino molido
Curry Powder, Indian = Curry de India
Dill Weed = Hojas de Eneldo
Epazote = Epazote
Garlic = Ajo
Ginger = Jengibre
Marjoram Leaves = Mejorana entera
Mexican Pepperleaf = Hoja Santa
Mustard Powder = Mostaza molida
Mustard Seeds, Yellow = Mostaza semilla
Nutmeg, Ground = Nuez Moscada Molida
Oregano Leaves = Oregano entero
Paprika = Pimenton dulce
Paprika, Smoked = Pimenton Ahumado
Parsely = Perejil
Peppercorns, Black = Pimienta Negra, entera
Peppercorns, Green = Pimienta Verde, entera
Peppercorns, Red = Pimienta Rosa, entera
Rosemary = Romero
Sage = Salvia
Tarragon = Estragon
Thyme, Ground = Tomillo molido
Tumeric = Curcuma