Gaspachos La Merced

In the city of Morelia you can enjoy an inexpensive and delicious meal as the locals do. Unlike the similarly named gazpacho, a cold Spanish soup, a Morelia gaspacho is a mixture of finely chopped fruits and vegetables ordered to taste. Fresh mango, papaya, watermelon and other fruits are combined with cucumber and then doused or dusted with your choice of condiments, including lime or orange juice, chile powder, hot sauce, or even onions and cheese. If you’re not in the mood for a drawn-out, sit-down meal, order up at this popular storefront and take your prize to nearby Jardin de las Rosas, in front of the Ex-convent and Music Conservatory for which it is named. Enjoy a nice snack in the sunshine. It’s the perfect antidote to too many heavy, fried meals.

City: Morelia State: Michoacán Region: Central Mexico Who: Gaspachos La Merced What: Chopped fruit mixed with optional vegetables, cheese, and condiments Where: : Calle Quintana Roo #192, historical center Tel. 443/312-0828 When: : Daily 10AM to 8PM Why: Great alternative to a restaurant for a healthy snack or light meal How: Centrally located in the historic center by La Merced Church Cost: About 20 to 40 pesos (US$2 to US$4)