Taste of Hispanic culture: The paleta

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The paleta is a frozen treat, resembling a popsicle, that’s available in many flavors. It's a popular snack in the Hispanic community.

Rene Adan is the owner of Paleteria Yayo. He and his employees work hard creating and selling flavorful popsicles in the Milwaukee area.

"The history is that a person just left bunch of fruit with some sugar and water on the freezer with a spoon," said Adan. "So, after that, he creates a paleta. He was like, oh my God! This is good with fruit, and then Mexican paleta became a popular treat in Mexico."

Adan who's from Guerrero, Mexico recalls the feeling he had as a child when he heard the bells on the paleta cart.

"Oh my God, happiness, basically," said Adan. "If we can describe in a word, it's happiness, you know. Because not all the people can afford a fancy treat or go to a restaurant."

Tyrone Robinson Sr. helps to sell paletas in a cart. He says it's the people and the families that makes him want to work every season.

"You know, they make me feel like I belong somewhere," said Robinson.

Along his route, Robinson sees his regulars of all ages. When it comes to those familiar bells on the cart, he doesn’t get tired of hearing them.

Gudelia and Ricardo Calva are the owners of Al Pastor, a Mexican Restaurant in West Allis.

They try not to miss the opportunity to get some paletas from Robinson. It brings back memories.

"I think the fact that we're far from home brings us to our house, to our home," said Gudelia Calva. "It's like a way to be closer to our culture."