Some of the ingredients necessary for Latin American and Caribbean cooking cannot be found at every single local super-grocer. While they are increasingly common, not everyone has the fortune of a neighborhood Latin market nearby for when the hankering for fresh tortillas rises in the belly.
Here are a list of some of the better websites for buying exotic spices, vegetables, and ingredients for your next recipe.
- Adriana's Caravan - From ground pumpkins seeds to corn husks to banana leaves to nearly any type of chile you can imagine, Adiana's will get you ready with "Every Ingredient for Every Recipe you've Ever Read".
- My Spicer - This wholesale spice e-mart is a great place to find a few rare spices, but also the perfect place to load up on whatever your household favorites are.
- Mex Grocer - This is a great site with a lot of resources to help you find any specialty items for preparing Mexican food. The prices are a little steep, so you may want to make a list of your favorites and treat yourself to a culinary adventure South of the border if you're willing to spend this much on kitchenware.
- Cacique USA - This is the place to go for Mexican cheeses. It is difficult to find good Mexican cheese, but if you really want to to queso fundito or even quesadillas right, you should think about investing in some authentic Mexican cheese.
- Sweet Freedom Farm - For those of you who have a garden, this is a must go site to purchase some rare (and common) chili seeds from all over the world.
Keep your eyes peeled for a more complete list I'm working on in the next couple of weeks and please leave your comments about any of your favorite online grocery stores.