What’s in Season in El Paso

What is in season in El Paso. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

{'item': 'Fresh nopales (cactus paddles)', 'description': 'Spring is prime season for fresh nopales in the Chihuahuan Desert. The young paddles are harvested in March and April, grilled or sauteed with eggs, tomato, and jalapen for tacos at Cafe Mayapan and street kitchens across Ysleta.', 'where_to_find': 'Cafe Mayapan, Upper Valley Farmers Market'}
{'item': 'Pecan harvest products', 'description': "The Mesilla Valley north of El Paso produces one of the world's largest pecan crops. Spring sees the previous autumn's harvest peak in value-added products at the farmers market, including pecan butter, pecan brittle, and pecan tamales at select El Paso panaderias.", 'where_to_find': 'Upper Valley Artist and Farmers Market, select panaderias in Kern Place'}

{'item': 'Early green chile (late summer)', 'description': "Hatch green chile begins arriving in July and peaks through August. El Paso grocery stores and markets set up outdoor chile roasters, and the aroma of charring green chile defines the city's July and August streets.", 'where_to_find': 'Upper Valley Farmers Market, grocery store parking lot roasters throughout the city'}
{'item': 'Prickly pear', 'description': 'The Chihuahuan Desert prickly pear cactus fruits (tunas) ripen from August through October, producing the magenta-pink fruit that becomes prickly pear agua fresca, margaritas, and sorbets at several El Paso restaurants and bars.', 'where_to_find': "DeadBeach Brewery seasonal, Los Bandidos de Carlos and Mickey's margarita"}

{'item': 'Hatch green and red chile', 'description': 'September and October are the peak of the Hatch chile harvest 60 miles north of El Paso. The city fills with freshly roasted green chile sold by the gunny sack, and restaurants run green chile specials through the season. The chile dries to red by October, producing red ristras that are both decorative and culinary.', 'where_to_find': 'Hatch Chile Express (day trip), Upper Valley Farmers Market, home roasting events across the city'}
{'item': 'Pan de muerto', 'description': 'In October and November, El Paso panaderias produce pan de muerto, the egg-enriched sweet bread shaped for Dia de los Muertos altar offerings. Five Points and Ysleta concentrate many of the best pan de muerto bakers.', 'where_to_find': 'Cafe Con Leche, La Mejor Tortilleria, Dia de los Muertos market stalls in November'}

{'item': 'Tamales', 'description': 'December is tamale season in El Paso. Families and panaderias make red pork, green chile and cheese, and sweet raisin tamales for Christmas. The tradition of tamaladas (tamale-making parties) fills the days before December 24, and pre-orders at La Colonial and Cafe Mayapan are placed weeks in advance.', 'where_to_find': 'La Colonial Tortilla Factory, Cafe Mayapan, Upper Valley Farmers Market winter market'}
{'item': 'Champurrado', 'description': 'The thick corn-chocolate-spiced drink made with masa, piloncillo, cinnamon, and Mexican chocolate is the canonical El Paso winter morning drink. Available October through February at Cafe Mayapan and Casa Cafetzin.', 'where_to_find': 'Cafe Mayapan (Saturday breakfast), Casa Cafetzin'}