2/24 Wednesday 6:30pm, at Multnomah Central Library. About 20 eaters (including the library coordinator and 2 kids). Owner of Mixteca - a tamale shop in Portland Mercado, brought a signature dish from 5 shops in the Mercardo (paid by the library), and talked about each. Occasionally we were accompanied by a guitar player from Cuba. 
Before we were let in, 5 tables were set with white table cloth, yellow paper napkin, chip and salsa. Salsa on each table is different. Brochures of Cristina Henríquez' next appearance on table. This is part of Everybody Reads program. 2016's selection is Henríquez' The Book of Unknown Americans, stories of immigrants from Latin America.After an introduction of the library program and the Mercado, we got to taste one dish at a time, so we know what it is and from which country it comes from, and sometimes what struggle each owners facing. It gives the dish some character.
First, Almojabanas from Cali, Columbia. It's a cheesy bread, made with queso fresco. Quite tasty.
2nd, Mixteca's vegetarian tamale, wrapped in banana leaves from Thailand, accompanied by mole. Again, filling and tasty.
3rd, Pupusa from El Salvador. This tortilla-like is made of organic blue corns, filled with beans. Filling, and a bit dry. There's a variety of sauces to drip over the pupusa.
4th, Tetela (corn masa tortilla-like) filled with ground beef and vegetables, accompanied with pickled vegetables. Mexican. Both quite thin and tasty.
5th, Papa Rellena accompanied by standard mixed green salad. Very tasty. I had two and was completely stuffed.Last, we had a slice of flan for desert. All of us might have consumed only half of the food here. I don't know why the library didn't invite more people. The room can easily entertain twice this many diners. When I registered, I took the last spot. I left with a full belly and more appreciation of the variety of foods. Hope the library will have more events like this.
