Di you know tomatoes grow on trees?
What to do on a Sunday after Church but go out for a cappuccino and whatever else you can find? The “whatever else you could find” turns out to be that in Ecuador, tomatoes grow on trees! But I am getting ahead of myself.
We’d been to several places by San Sebastian Plaza but not to the Delicious Cafeteria, which is part of the Azul de la Plaza hotel. It is their large display case of delectable looking postres (desserts) that first draws us in but we also discover it is a delightful place to sit and people watch, as it’s right across from San Sebastian Plaza. How can we pass it up?
Our lunch, cappuccinos, and mochaccinos are excellent!
Now, we are on to the display case that had been calling our name for some days now. The server, a wonderful young man, starts naming the desserts. I was half people watching and half listening when I thought I heard him say they had something called tomato pie or tomato cake.
Wait! What? I backed him up and asked him – “Did you say tomato?” “Yes,” he said, “it is a tomato that grows on trees.” A tree tomato? Wait! What? – came out of my mouth once again.
The tree tomato is known as the “tamarillo.”
In Spanish it is the “tomate de árbol” and is thought to have originated in the Andes in Ecuador, Peru or Bolivia. It is a small bushy tree that grows to about 16 feet. (5 meters) We learn that tamarillo juice is often served for breakfast.
The tree tomato is a popular juice.
The tree tomato is also served, in a more watered-down version, as the “jugo” when ordering the “almuerzo menu del dia.” (Daily lunch special) We suddenly realize we’d had this “jugo” just the other day when he stopped for lunch at one of the hotels in El Centro. (Yes, it is not uncommon for us to eat or drink the “unknown” as long as it looks like we can survive it.)
Some tree tomato juice is left-over from their breakfast service, so he treats us to a taste. He then brings out a fruit from the back and tells us a bit more about it. Naturally, we have to order the tomato cake. After all this, it is something we certainly have to try! We can’t quite put our finger on the taste, but it is reminiscent of tomato along with – maybe a pineapple? Hard to explain! Not too sweet but very good.
This is one lunch we truly enjoy not only for the food but for the education. Next time you’re up by San Sebastian Park, head over to the Azul de la Plaza Hotel and stop by Delicious Cafeteria. Good food, perfect cappuccinos and a chance to try Tomato Cake from the tree tomato!
I believe while we were there recently, we had some of that tomato juice. It Was Delicious! I distinctly remember saying to my husband that when it was first mentioned, I expected to see this deep red color of “tomato juice” that we were used to in the United States. Not the same. The Tomato Juice to which you are referring is a delicious drink and very different from what we call “tomato juice” here in the U. S. We also found it quite interesting about the tree tomato.
We were the same as you. We didn’t know what we were drinking at the time until it was explained to us at this restaurant. One of the many fun things about travel – new experiences and tastes!