COLADA MORADA

This spiced drink is a traditional Ecuadorian drink made with fruits and spices. It is traditionally made for Day of thr Deceased celebration. This celebration takes place on November 2nd. Similar to Mexican Day of the Dead this celebration is to honor and remember all the loved ones who have passed away. As with most Latin holidays there is always a food aspect to any special day.

Ingredients

1 cup seamoss gel

14 oz pineapple juice

2 cups blackberries frozen or fresh

2 cups blueberries frozen or fresh

2 cups strawberries sliced

Cinnamon flower - omit if you can’t find any

5-6 cinnamon sticks

4-5 whole cloves

4-5 all spice berries

1 star anise

Sweetner of choice

A few lemon verbena leaves fresh or dry

A few lemongrass leaves fresh or dry

2 pieces orange peel

Additional aromatic herbs: arrayan ataco (purple amaranth), orange leaves

12 cups water (8 cups for the pineapple skins + spices part, and the remaining 4 cups for the berry mix)

Additional fruits that can be added: babaco, peaches, apples, pears, ciruelas

Instructions

Place cinnamon, spices in a large pot with 8 cups of water. Boil for about 20-25 minutes.Add the lemon verbena, lemongrass, and orange peel.Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove and strain. In a separate pot, add 4 cups of water with the blueberries and blackberries, boil for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool down until safe to handle, add sea moss gel blend and strain .Add the strained berry mix, the spiced pineapple liquid and the diluted purple flour mix to a large pot.Cook over medium heat, stir constantly to keep it from sticking, bring to a boil.Add the pineapple chunks and reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes.Remove from the heat, add the strawberry slices (and any additional fruits). Serve warm or cold.

ENJOY