Exploring Zihuatanejo's Municipal Market

Probably the last thing you think about as you head for Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo with your swimming gear is grocery shopping.

The beaches are great, but so is the Mercado Central Municipal in downtown Zihuatanejo.

This is where you get away from the resorts to explore everyday Mexican life--and to eat in fondas that offer hearty homestyle food and handmade tortillas.

Take a look at some things you might see.

The produce is gorgeous, and so fresh. You'll wish you could take it home. Never seen huauzontle? There it is (above), standing inconspicuously on the floor.

Tomatillos (above), advertised as tomato verde (green tomatoes), come without their papery husks, saving you the work of peeling them.

You're renting a place and throwing a party? That means squeezing lots of limes for margaritas. The squeezers you'll need (above) are at the market.

It's hot and you're thirsty. No problem. Plenty of places, like the juguería above sell fresh juices (jugos in Spanish).

Or you could get coconut water that is "bien fría" (very cold) from this guy, who is hacking open coconuts on the street outside the market.

Hungry? The market has lots of fondas where you can get regional moles, chiles rellenos, caldo de pollo (chicken soup) and other dishes that cater to local tastes.

Or you could have a fresh corn tamal, made with butter, not lard, and very hot, because the woman who made it gives it to you straight from her steamer.

You might buy a hunk of queso (cheese) to sample as you walk around choosing a fonda for lunch.

There might even be music to entertain you as you eat.