Sierra fish tostadas at Zama

One of the best ways to experience Mexican culture is through the varied and delectable traditional Mexican cuisine.  The countrys regional cuisine goes way beyond tacos and margaritas and encompasses a multi-layered array of techniques and customs.  The state of Quintana Roo, which covers the Yucatan Peninsula and is where Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort is located,  boasts a striking range of  colorful meals. Yucatan cooking focuses on seafood, Mayan preparation techniques and fresh produce.  I sampled great examples of these as I noshed my way through Villa Del Palmars dining scene.

Regional Mexican delicacies

My introduction to the resorts food came at Zama restaurant. Zama means sunrise in Mayan and this open air eatery with fountains and pools as a backdrop offers lots of opportunities to watch sunsets while tasting fresh Mexican food.  I tucked into Sierra fish tostadas, brimming with lightly grilled fish and avocado, they were sprinkled with lime juice for just the right  flavor punch.  I also attended Mexican night where a host of regional dishes were served with the backdrop of a live mariachi band.  I sampled mole en pollo, which features a rich chocolate sauce with chicken,  pure and simple queso quesadillas and barbacoa tostadas,which are a zesty Mexican version of barbecued pork.  Some of my favorites include stuffed pumpkin or calabaza, chile relleno or poblano peppers stuffed with cheese and pescado veracruzano, which is grilled fish covered in special spices and sauce from the state of Veracruz along the Caribbean coast.

Every morning, I grabbed breakfast at La Casona, the breezy enclosed diner near the entrance of the resort. My favorite breakfast was plantano frito or  yummy fried bananas with chilliquiles, a dish of fried tortillas tossed with cheese, chicken, sour cream and a tasty red or green sauce. Id top it off with slices of carambola or star fruit and a glass of jugo verde. This was a refreshing drink that I drank three times a day.  It features a blend of nopale or cactus juice, celery, chaya or greens, orange and pineapple juices. After sampling dishes like these, a session of beach volleyball or swimming is advised although I simply stretched out on my favorite beach bed and watched these activities unfold.

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