Not far from my house is a tiny Latin-American market about the size of my dining room. It is cramped and in no way aesthetically pleasing, but it's cheap and I can usually find whatever exotic ingredient I'm looking for.
However, the place has always struck me as a little bit sketchy. Maybe it's the industrial neighborhood, or the fact that there's no room to move around, but more likely it has something to do with the long, mysterious line leading to a door at the back of the store. There's always a line, and it's unclear what exactly is going on back there. Nobody talks. Everyone seems very serious and determined. What's everyone in line for? That's what I wanted to ask. But asking too many questions seemed like a good way to get myself banned from my most convenient source of goat milk cajeta and passion fruit concentrate. No, best to keep my head down, pay for my corn tortillas, and get the hell out of there. It's always the innocent bystanders that get shot.
But I found myself back there on an errand one morning. The place was deserted. There was no mysterious line coming from the back. I decided to do some recon. I meandered over to the beverage cases and pretended to be really interested in ginger beer. Come to find out, I'm really interested in ginger beer. (Note to self: GINGER BEER!) Then I sidled down a little further to a giant freezer jam-packed with whole chickens. Whole, unbelievably cheap chickens. Interesting, I thought. Very interesting. DON'T GET DISTRACTED, I scolded myself! Then, like the seasoned CIA operative that I am, I pretended to trip and sort of stumbled over to the back door. Okay, fine, I wasn't pretending. The shoes I bought on sale were mislabeled and are a half-size too big. At any rate, I noted that it was more of a half-door, a window, really, onto a tiny room. That's when a woman's face appeared right in front of me.
"Oh, hi!" I said in something that wasn't Spanish. "Whatcha got back there?"
I braced myself for the worst.
After a bit of linguistic maneuvering, she directed my attention to the most gigantic empanadas I have ever seen in my life. Empanadillas, to be exact. Bigger than my whole hand, they were stuffed with chicken and cheese, and blistered from spending ample time in hot oil, just the way I like them. She had beef empanadillas, too, and fried plantains and some sort of corn thing I couldn't sort out. Behind her was a tiny kitchen. WTF? Why had I never noticed the smell of food before? Have I lost my ability to sniff out deliciousness? I bought one chicken empanada for $2, and went back to my car feeling like a complete idiot—but a happy idiot! I ate the whole thing before I even started up the car. It was fucking delicious.
So, in case you're wondering what goes on in the back of Cruz Market, that's what. Empanadas. They're not illegal, but they should be!!
Cruz Market, 139 Felton St., Waltham, MA (kitchen closed Sundays and Mondays)
donde?
Posted by: Tamar Amidon | April 23, 2012 at 11:24 PM
aqui: 139 Felton St., Waltham, MA
mapa: http://bit.ly/K5cGdA
Posted by: Tammy | April 24, 2012 at 07:16 AM
Gracias
Posted by: Tamar Amidon | April 24, 2012 at 07:30 AM
Speaking of ginger beer, I made ginger concentrate on Saturday and have been enjoying home-made ginger.... somethings- not quite ginger beer, not just ginger ale, but yummy. I highly recommend it if you are truly interested in ginger beer and not just using it to cover your snooping into empanadas :)
Posted by: cycler | April 24, 2012 at 09:55 AM
Why do I get this feeling that I need to keep bail money handy at all times?
Posted by: Dad | April 24, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Dad: It's probably not a bad idea just in case!
cycler: That sounds intriguing. I really am interested in ginger beer. Tell me more!
Tamar: De nada!
Posted by: Tammy | April 24, 2012 at 12:21 PM
Seriously! I used to go in there for stuff for classes and I NEVER KNEW EITHER! I'm on it! SO VERY MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS. There used to be another place on that street I went to as well but it is gone now. Have you been to the taco place on the one way going the other way behind the bank parking lot?
Posted by: jo | April 24, 2012 at 07:38 PM
jo: Yes, I love that taco place! Taqueria Mexico on Charles St. We should meet up there sometime.
Posted by: Tammy | April 24, 2012 at 09:15 PM
I have been following this terrific blog ever since Boston Zest recommended it way long ago. We recently moved to Waltham and have been eating our way through our wonderful city. I would love to meet you fabulous ladies at the taco place sometime! Stalker-y as that sounds... Maybe the Boston Zesters could join us, too.
Posted by: kelly | April 28, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Tammy- I make fake ginger beer, which is a ginger concentrate added to sparkling water. People who are more adventurous ferment it in the fridge, but I'm not that brave.
Chop (in food processor works well) 2 cups unpeeled ginger, add to a pot with 6 cups water and 2 cups sugar, bring to a boil, reduce to a strong simmer and let cook for an hour, until reduced and syrupy.
The original recipe suggested filling a glass 1/3 with concentrate, and top off with sparkling water. I find this to be really really strong, and often reduce the proportion of concentrate.
Posted by: cycler | May 01, 2012 at 03:40 PM
cycler: Thanks, cycler!! I'll have to try this. I love ginger!
kelly: Why, that sounds like a fabulous idea. I'll see what I can put together!
Posted by: Tammy | May 01, 2012 at 04:15 PM