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Dominican Republic Street Vendors Page 2

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Jugo (Auga) de Caña/ Sugar Cane Juice (Water)
These vendors ride around the streets on tricycles carrying what look like large sticks. These are sugar cane. There is a grinder where they can express the juice from the cane. They also cut off the outside and sell the sticky, yellow cane in plastic bags. There are usually 3 to 4 pieces of sweetness to a bag. They usually give you another empty bag to put the waste after eating the cane. I love eating these, even though sometimes they make my jaws hurt from biting into the cane. There is a true technique that needs to be acquired when eating the cana. You bite off a small piece and chew until the juice is out. Then you spit out the pulp. It is best to spit it into the bag instead of into the street, its cane chewing etiquette. It can be difficult trying to get all the little pieces of pulp out of the mouth, but with practice it can be done.



Sugar cane before and after
El Carbonero/ The Coal Man
This man usually rides on a donkey or tricycle pulling a cart behind. You can hear him yelling out "Carbón, Carbonero" (Charcoal, the Charcoal Vendor) as he passes by in the street. He sells the carbon for cooking as many Dominicans choose to use an outdoor cooker times instead of cooking on a traditional stove.
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Sugar cane before and after
Maizero / The Corn on the Cob (maíz) Vendor
This man walks around pushing a large cart with a big cauldron of hot water. In this cauldron are ears of corn on the cob or la mazorca. He yells out  "Maíz, maíz, maíz!" but it sounds like mye, mye, mye. When you want to purchase one of these ears of corn they remove the treat from the vat of water, drop it into another smaller pot containing salt water and butter. They then place the ear of corn in a plastic bag and hand it over to their customer. This usually costs about $25 pesos (3/12). It is one of the few snacks that are sold on the street that is a bit healthy. 


fresh corn on the cob in Colonial Zone
fritureo selling panza morcilla and tripe out of his bowl
Friturero
This street vendor is not seen in the streets of Colonial Zone everyday but when he shows up people always are ready to purchase his wares. He carries a large bowl covered with paper and plastic with a small cutting type board lying across the top of it all. When he lifts the plastic a sort of unpleasant aroma seeps out from underneath. Once you get past the smell and try what is inside you just may be pleasantly surprised. In the bowl is some very special Dominican meats usually consisting of Morcilla, which is blood sausage, Tripe, which are pork intestines, and Panza which is pig stomach. He cuts these morsels on the little cutting board and gives you a plate. He then adds some vinegar type sauce on top and maybe some boiled platano and you get to enjoy. If he calls out his wares, which many times he does not, he will yell "Tripita"!.

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Maizero selling corn on Calle el Conde
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My favorite Fritureo selling his wares
Yaniquequero/ Johnny Cake and Empanada Vendor
The man selling Yaniqueque (pronounced Joni-cake-key) usually has a permanent spot with his gas tank, boiling oil pot and little table where he rolls out the doug and prepares the yumminess. You can see these Johnny Cakes and Empanadas or Pastelitos on many corners throughout the country. They are located many times near large businesses and schools or places where there is much foot traffic. These little stuffed pie type morsels come with many different stuffing including cheese, chicken, beef, shrimp, vegetables, eggs and more. They are quite popular and are a must try item. The vendor has a table for rolling out the dough with a pot of hot oil for the frying of these little pies. The prices can be from around $25 to $40 pesos and sometimes more depending on the filling (as of 12/12).

Yaniquequero cooking up some egg empanadas for breakfast in Zona Colonial
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Yaniquequero cooking up some egg empanadas for breakfast in Zona Colonial
Quesero/ Cheese Vendor
The man selling Queso de Hoja. A white string type cheese similar to mozzarella but a little stringier and with a slightly stronger with a squeaky feel in the mouth. You can see this vendor carrying a large platter, and having a plastic grocery bag hanging off his arm. The plate is usually covered with a piece of clear plastic wherein there are wedges of this wonderful flavorful white cheese impaled with little wooden toothpicks. Many times on the plate are a few entire balls of this white cheese also. You pick the piece you desire and the vendor will give you a round cracker to go along with it. The price is usually around $25 pesos (as of 12/08)

Pastelero/ Pastel Vendor
This vendor sells Pasteles en Hoja. He walks around carrying a metal bucket holding hot water. Inside this bucket are the pasteles wrapped in their little pouch of banana leaves. He opens the pouch, places the pastele of your choice on a plate and offers a topping of mayonnaise, ketchup or hot sauce (these are in bottles hanging on the side of his pail). These treats are very good as long as they are fresh and hot. Another must try food here in Dominican Republic.

Cocoero/ Coconut Vendor
You will see this vendor pushing a cart laden with coconuts (called coco here). At times this vendor has his own spot and does not move his cart. When you want to purchase one of these green fresh coconuts the man will grab the nut of choice firmly in his hand. He then pulls out a very sharp machete and commences to cutting of the top. He makes slices in an angle around the top and then with one swift swipe across the top there is a small opening where one can access the sweet water inside called coco de auga. You can drink directly from the coco or have the man put it in a glass for you with a little ice and sugar if you wish. Then, if you wish, he will cut the coco in half and you can eat out the slimy white insides either directly from the shell using a piece of the shell he cut away earlier, or in a glass. Sometimes a little sugar added makes it a real treat. The cost is about $40 to $60 pesos, maybe a few pesos more if you want ice or sugar (as of 12/12) It is a great energy booster and full of lots of good for you stuff.
cocoero vendor on the streets of the Zona Colonial
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Selling coconut water in the streets of Colonial Zone
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Bolitas de Coco (also known as Bombones, Memelos de Coco, Caramelitos Rellenos, Paleta de coco, or Churumbeles) - Little balls of Coconut.
Dominicans have many different names for this much loved sweet, sweet really sweet candies. No mater the name they are a favorite of everyone. They can be found in almost all parts of the country. These caramel - hard candies have a white coconut fudge candy inside. The seller carries these sticky yummies on a tray on his shoulder. He hits the tray with a butter knife to get attention. The knife is used to lift these scrumptious sticky morsels from the tray where they are resting. Each little red ball has a toothpick stuck in the center making it easier to hold until you pop it into your mouth.
bolitas de coco - little balls of coconut a sweet caramel covered candy found on the streets of Dominican Republic
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A very happy vendor selling bolitas de coco
 
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