Tucson Eat Yourself
Hi friends 🙂 How are you? Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday.
This morning, we took a little trip to visit my great-nana. Last time we saw her, we promised we’d take my brothers with us, so today we delivered on our promise.
We had fun talking and hanging out with nana, and after leaving, the Pilot and I went to Tucson Meet Yourself for a fun little cultural experience.
Tucson Meet Yourself- which we all refer to as “Tucson Eat Yourself”- is held in downtown Tucson: the only place we actually have tall buildings.
There were a ton of amazing vendors set up:
Art and handmade creations
Books and music
[3 Little Javelinas is one of the stories that was read to me when I was little]
and soooo many ethnic food stands, hence the nickname “Tucson Eat Yourself.” The idea is to go and walk around, while eating as much food as humanly possible.
They also have live music and dance performances to demonstrate the cultural diversity in Tucson.
I wasn’t too hungry, but we both had to stop and stare when we saw the enormous pans of paella.
We decided to give it a whirl 😉
Shrimp bandit:
The only bummer about the festival is that it was wicked hot, and I didn’t dress appropriately. I was roasting away in my jean crops and button-up shirt. Good thing there were plenty of distractions from the heat [like a handsome date, delicious food, and people-watching at its finest].
We’re off to a family dinner <3
See ya after with a Family post!
xoxo
Gina
Something to talk about: What is your all-time favorite ethnic food? As much as I love tamales, Baigan Bhartha takes the prize for this one 🙂
My favourite would have to be a good vegan pad thai with lots of chopped peanuts on top. I like many of the thai curries, as they are easy to veganise and use coconut cream to give it that lovely creamy texture and flavour.
YES! Vegan pad thai! We’re having this at our wedding. It’s one of my all time favorite foods.
Japanese kiriboshi salad – daikon,carrots and shiitake mushrooms… In an amazing kind of melange of Salty flavoured juiciness.
Or teriyaki salmon
I love Japanese and Thai food! My cravings always bounce between the two of them. We don’t have very good Mexican or Spanish food near me. I’m sure if I lived in Tucson, it would open up a whole new world of those types of flavors!
I’m pretty sure there was also a Zumba flash mob yesterday.
Huuuuge fan of Hispanic and South American foods. Paella is my absolute favorite, and I’m feenin’. 😀
That indian dish looks fantastic, and we have an abundance of eggplant coming in from the garden. I found a recipe on allrecipes to try- Unless you have one you LOVE that you wouldn’t mind sharing 🙂 Thanks!
its looks like you had a nice sunday and i love paella.
That looks like fun. I can’t wait to take my fam to visit Tucson because of all that stuff. LA seems like it has so much happening but it is so spread out it’s hard to get to things.
My favorite ethnic dish is Hungarian goulash. Mmmm
LOVE festivals like this. I just missed one here in MD because I was at a friend’s wedding out of state, but when I can get to one, I go!
I’m Jewish, and I’m a pretty huge fan of all traditional Jewish foods—gefilte fish, kugel, knishes, you name it. They’re what I was raised on, and I’ll always have a soft spot for them!
I’ve never had Baigan Bhartha but it sounds SO good! I want to try it soon! I was trying to think of my favorite ethnic food…and I like them all! All food is delish! Hmmm… we have an amazing Sushi restaurant that has THE BEST GINGER salad I have EVER had!!! It’s addictive!!
i looooooove ginger salad 🙂
That sounds like a blast! My favorite ethnic foods are: Thai yellow curry, channa masala, and chicken tikka masala.
Oh, and sushi!
My little brother is in the mariachi group you displayed a picture of! He plays the trumpet. 🙂 Aw, I miss him!
so cute!!!
Cuban Black Bean Soup. Yum!! My friend from college’s grandparents, who were from Cuba, would make us some. I miss college! Haha.
Mmmm!!! I love paella!!
My favorite ethnic foods are:Filipino, Japanese & Mexican!
Gina, I just have to say, you look really beautiful. It makes me want to be pregnant, just so I can look as awesome as you. haha.
oh, thank you friend! <3 it means a lot when people say things like that because it's easy to feel weird and awkward right now 🙂
Man, your brothers are so gangster! And your Nana is totally adorable. Sorry to hear that you were roasting so badly! Looking forward to hearing about your dinner tonight!
Man, your brothers are so gangster! And your Nana is totally adorable. Sorry to hear that you were roasting so badly! Looking forward to hearing about your dinner tonight!
I love Indian food most, but I’m pretty basic: chicken tikka as well with amazing garlic naan.
My kind of festival!!! Looks so fun!!!
Italian food is my favorite!
This is a weird question, but I noticed the shrimp has the feet on it still… do you eat it like that? lol I’ve never seen shrimp served like that, so I’m just wondering!
This looks like a blast 🙂 I have never really had really authentic food. I am always looking to try new things though, this looks good!
Bhaigan Bartha is the name of the game over here in Mumbai. We go to a hole in the wall restaurant called Sai Sagar at least 3 times a week- a feast (and I mean feast) for two comes to about 5 US dollars.
jealous!!
Lovely day you two had! I love outdoor festivals and things like that. Just soaking it all in, all the different sights and sounds and people watching is usually fab at events like that, too.
Sorry you were roasting in your outfit though. Ugh. Pregnant and overheating in the sun. NOT fun!
I saw that Javelina book at Big Bend National Park! My brother and I didn’t know what they were until we were there. We saw a whole family of them as we were driving out of the park:) I think that Greek food is my favorite.
Mine is sushi, no contest. 😀
This looks like such a fun festival! I’ve never actually had paella though. It sounds like I need to give it a try!
Chicken tikka, Shrimp in a Goan coconut curry and baingan bhartha are my top favorites!! Do you make baingan bhartha at home?
i have before, but it doesn’t taste the same
My favorite ethnic food? Ceviche ftw!
It has to be Indian – as a veggie, they have so many vegetarian options and it is all SO delicious! But Mexican food comes in a very close second…
Great picture of the family with your great-nana. I love visiting my elderly relatives! It makes their day and really humbles me…makes me realize that life isn’t about anything but the love we give and receive in return. 🙂