How do you invent a new dessert recipe? In this 2018 video from Eater’s Sugar Coated series, master paleta maker Fany Gerson of New York City’s La Newyorkina creates artisanal paletas based on flan, a traditional Mexican caramel custard. Series host and pastry chef Rebecca DeAngelis assists Gerson in the different flan paleta experiments.
What are paletas? From Thrillist:
The word paleta roughly translates to βlittle stick,β which makes sense given how it is served. But unlike American popsicles which are flavored with a mix of sugar syrups and food dyes, paletas are constructed from whole ingredients like fresh pureed fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices, explains Fany Gerson… This results in a wide range of flavors beyond things like “grape” and “orange.” Gerson notes that at her shop, they have “anywhere between 40-50 [paleta flavors]; some have chunks, others are spicy, a few are filled.β
The varieties of paletas are expansive. Sure, you can snag a standard strawberry or watermelon paleta, but they also come in flavors like tamarind, spicy pineapple jalapeΓ±o, and cajeta-canela: a Mexican cinnamon ice pop stuffed with goatβs milk caramel. Gerson’s personal favorites include flavors like passion fruit-coconut and hibiscus raspberry. Each flavor is super refreshing and has none of the artificial flavors of most standard popsicles.
Follow @lanewyorkina on Instagram. Find Fany Gerson’s book Paletas: Authentic Recipes for Mexican Ice Pops, Shaved Ice & Aguas Frescas on Bookshop.org or in your local bookstore.
Watch these related food and dessert videos next:
β’Β How To Be A Better Baker with Kiano Moju
β’ How To Cook Without A Recipe (with Samin Nosrat)
β’Β How are empanadas made?
β’ How to Carve a Mango Flower on a Stick
β’ How to make homemade ice cream three different ways
β’Β The magic formula for Milk Barβs strawberry-lemon cake truffles
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