Wanted in Guate

Mark- We have found nutmeg, creamed corn, yellow corn, canned pumpkin, brown sugar, pecans, cornstarch and a meat thermometer at the Hiper Paiz in Guate. Actually, we have everything except the pumpkin and pecans in Petén at the Maxi Bodega. Cornstarch is in a yellow box next to the oatmeal, but it's name escapes me. I'm pretty sure it starts with Ma (some derivative of Maiz.) Cornbread mixes are one thing that we have brought to us when people come. Happy hunting.

Maizena is the commercial name for cornstarch and you´ll find it close to the oatmeal, Incaparina and other assorted atoles, because this is what it´s used for.
The Mennonite bakery is only open on Tuesdays and Fridays, so you need to get your order in quick, if someone is able to take it over to Antigua for you. I´m pretty sure one of the Hiperpaizes in one of the more upscale places will probably have frozen pumpkin pies: try the one on Carretera al Salvador, or Paiz in Zone 14. In fact, they´ll probably have all the other stuff, too.
Pie crusts, hummm, don´t think so. Maybe Price Smart. But Guatemalans usually make their own pie crusts from scratch, not that we´re big pie eaters either.
Good luck!

The mercado/tienda that has the chocatenago had a lot of those items…spices, cranberries even, when I spent thanksgiving in Guate. Of course, we muled a lot of food down and pooled resources with other families celebrating. Enjoyed a large thanksgiving with friends.

For 2 pie crusts you need–2 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 2/3 cup shortening, 4 tbsp cold water, 1 rolling pin.

Crackers, Triscuits – I've seen these in

Ground clovers (do you mean cloves?) and nutmeg are in the Bodegona, in the spice section, you can get them in bags or little shakers.

Yellow Corn – canned, is available in the Bodegona under canned goods, or in La Popular (wedged between the farmacias in front of the mercado)

Cornbread Box Mix – if you find this, let me know. I've never even found real cornmeal here.

Canned Pumpkin – make your own, way faster and easier, just chop up a bunch of guicoy' (acorn squash, one q in the market right now), boil them, mash them and use that. It tastes exactly the same and it's what I use. Here's a good recipe: http://www.pickyourown.org/pumpkinpie.php

Brown Sugar or Molasses – Molasses is occasionally found in the Bodegona, when they are in the mood to put it out, it's with the peanut butter. When you find it, stock up because you won't see it again for months. It's called "melaza".

1 Box Cornstarch – like others have said, this is "maizena" . . . be careful to get the plain kind because it comes in flavors here. You don't want banana flavored!

Meat Thermometer – Check BolsiPlasticos. If you walk out of the market and head left, just keep walking about 2 blocks. THe entrance is full of hanging plastic stuff. Go to the back and ask for "un termometro para carne". Alternatively, I have an extra

Sorry, but I just have to ask…but does anyone know where to find vanilla extract and cornmeal?

Maizena?