We have been regularly publishing posts with photos depicting our life here in Ecuador for over three years, So we were a bit surprised during our recent trip to the United States to have friends and family members ask questions that seemed to indicate that they thought we were living in some kind of isolation far removed from modern comforts. Perhaps this post will show that we are not “doing without” here in San Clemente, Ecuador.
A friend of ours named Keith called to let us know that he and his son were driving to the big fish market in Manta and wanted to know if I wanted to come along. On any given day we can ride downtown here in San Clemente or over to San Jacinto and buy fresh fish and seafood from the local fishermen. But, Manta is a deeper port city and fishing boats there go out farther and get large fish like Red Snapper, Swordfish, Grouper, Flounder, etc. So I wanted to go to the market in Manta, but Mary and I had previous plans and I could not make the trip. But, Keith agreed to take some money and pick up some fish for us.
On Wednesday evening Keith came by with several pounds of Red Snapper and Flounder filets that he had purchased for $2.50 and $3.00 a pound respectively. This fish had been swimming in the Pacific ocean earlier that same day and now was prepared in beautiful filets ready to cook or freeze. Mary kept some of the flounder out and yesterday whipped up this:
Earlier in the day, Mary prepared some shrimp and made a shrimp and bread stuffing. About a half hour before dinner she put two of the flounder filets in a pan, covered them with the stuffing mixture, and capped it off with another filet. She applied some seasoning and butter and popped it into the oven for twenty-five minutes.
I got busy slicing some fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and we steamed up some fresh broccoli. The prepared fish looked like this:
The portions were so large we each had a half and saved some for lunch today!
Oh yeah, we are doing without alright… No frozen food, no preservatives, no week old vegetables ripened in some grocer’s crate.
Fresh flounder with shrimp stuffing served with fresh vegetables!
Tonight we barbecued shish kabobs and had them with some unbelievably good stuffed zucchini!
Mary stuffed these fresh zucchini with a quinoa/rice mix and some fresh vegetables, covered it with mozzarella cheese, and baked it for thirty minutes or so. I took care of the barbecue.
And Mary served the kabobs on a bed of the quinoa/rice mix.
Man, oh man!
My sweet bride is one of the world’s best cooks making it possible for us to dine in five-star splendor on a pension here where…
Life is good in Ecuador!
Looks fit for a King!
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Oh, it was. We eat very well here for far less money than we would have to pay for frozen shipped seafood in Ohio. It is good to hear from you, JoAnn. Hope all is well. Life is good.
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Crikey, John and Mary you’re going to outdo the POP with your cooking. It really looks like you’re suffering there with all that cheap, fresh, delicious food.
Cheers
Laurie.
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Laurie – It is so good to hear from you again. I trust your cruise went well and that you are settled back at home.
We do eat well here. One of the best things about our area is that things grow well year-round providing a great variety of vine ripened vegetables to accompany the always abundant fresh seafood. But, I defer to the Patrons of the Pit with their unique culinary skills at the barbecue.
Life is good!
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Thanks John, the cruise was nice but I fell foul of another chest infection and consequently depression. It’s a grand life. You have the best of both worlds there John, year round fresh food is a good thing. Yeah, PoTP have a handle on that BBQing and smoking. 🙂
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I’d like to live next door to those guys just to catch the aromas drifting over the fence!
Stay well, my friend.
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yes the aromas and all the spare, great words that percolate around the place too. 🙂
I’m staying as well as can be. 🙂
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That looks delicious, and very healthy. Those two words don’t get combined when dealing with frozen, filled with preservatives food! I have never liked fish, but when in Ecuador I choose those dishes because it is so incredibly different than what we get here! Indeed, life is good in Ecuador!
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Seafood (especially shell fish) just is not the same where you have to get it shipped in frozen and eat it weeks after it is caught. The langostinos here taste like good lobster. And fresh food just tastes better. We believe it is much better for us.
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Wow, It is amazing! I have been following you for a long time and it is the first time I have written, I am an Ecuadorian that came to the US when I was a little girl now I am 54 years old and have a condo in Salinas, my husband and I travel there every year and I know when we retire we will be back to Ecuador. I know you are having a wonderful time in that fishing village, enjoy and keep up your post!
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Isn’t it weird that we get to a stage in life where we can not wait to get “old enough to retire.” Hope your dreams come true and you are able to live the good life here in Ecuador soon.
Do not be a stranger. It will be good to hear from you again.
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The aromas would freeze and drop to the ground before they made it over the fence, John. Even so, I’d be your neighbor any day!
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Frozen barbecue aromas… Not a bad idea. Maybe we could market that. People could thaw some “smells of summertime” in January or February and just imagine they were living in Ecuador. (Or not…)
We too would love to have you all for neighbors anytime! God Bless.
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I am rightfully hungry thanks to the two of you! the stuffed flounder looks and sounds delightful! i loved the list of things you’re ‘without’!
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Yes, it is tough doing without all of the additives that go into processed food. We love eating fresh healthy food! Just another reason that life is good here.
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You guys are feasting like royalty. You have everything you need right there with all those fresh ingredients…I’m envious, haha~
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We know we really are quite blessed. Come on down and feast with us. We will prepare some vegetarian dishes!
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I’m working on hubby to give it a try to visit. Right now we have a trip planned for Puerto Rico. I’ve checked flights from Chicago to Panama and they are quite pricey so that is a hindrance to think about for us.
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And thank you so much for your kind offer!
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You are welcome. We also want to visit Puerto Rico in the future.
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