Mexican Fruit Ice Lollies (Paletas)
Handmade Mexican ice lollies with real fruit: mango, strawberry and lime.
About this recipe
Mexican paletas are handmade ice lollies made with real fruit and water or milk. The most popular flavours are mango with chilli, strawberry and cream, lime and watermelon. They stand out for containing real chunks of fruit.
History & Origin
Mexican paletas originate from the town of Tocumbo, Michoacán, known as 'the world capital of the paleta'. In the 1940s, Don Rafael Malfavón and other entrepreneurs from Tocumbo began crafting artisanal ice lollies with the region's abundant tropical fruits: mango, guava, tamarind, coconut and strawberry. What set these lollies apart from industrial ice cream was the use of real fruit, in many cases with visible chunks inside. Paleta makers from Tocumbo migrated to cities across Mexico, bringing their craft with them, and the chain La Michoacana became synonymous with artisanal lollies throughout the country. The tradition spread across Latin America and the United States. Today there are thousands of Mexican paleta shops worldwide. The most iconic flavours include mango with chilli, strawberry and cream, lime with chamoy, watermelon with pumpkin seeds, rice pudding and chocolate with walnut. Paletas represent one of the most successful examples of Mexican gastronomic enterprise and are a symbol of the country's street culture.
Estimated cost
£6.28
Total cost
£0.79
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
95
Calories
1g
Protein
22g
Carbohydrates
0.5g
Fat
2g
Fibre
15mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
For mango ice lollies: blend the mango pulp with 150 ml of water, 50 g of sugar and a squeeze of lime until you have a smooth purée.
💡 Leave some unblended pieces of mango for lollies with texture.
- 2
For strawberry ice lollies: blend the strawberries with 150 ml of water and 50 g of sugar. Strain if you want them seedless.
- 3
For lime ice lollies: mix the lime juice with 200 ml of water and 50 g of sugar. It is the most refreshing one.
💡 You can add chamoy to make lime-chamoy lollies.
- 4
Pour the mezclas in moulds for paletas llenando until 3/4 of its capacidad. Inserta the palitos.
💡 If you don't have moulds, usa vasos of plastic and palitos of madera.
- 5
Freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight. To unmould, run warm water over the outside of the mould.
- 6
For the mango-chilli lollies: sprinkle Tajín chilli and a drizzle of chamoy over the unmoulded lolly.
💡 The mango-chilli-chamoy combination is the most popular in Mexico.
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Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 1000+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for home kitchens worldwide. Based in Madrid since 2018.
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