This Helado de potecito recipe (frozen mango and strawberry jars) is a new twist on an old childhood tradition and a great way to get your fruit servings. And it has no sugar added! Bring Dominican summer to your home any day of the year and create happy new memories.
By - Reviewed: . Original: Sep 1, 2016
Why we ❤️ it
Any Dominican of my generation will get nostalgia when reading the words "Helado de potecito." Well, you young'uns, gather 'round Tia Clara. Let me tell you about the old days of the 70s and 80s... summers in San Carlos... and the naughts and, oh, never mind.
It's hard to understand if you didn't grow up in the Dominican Republic of those days, but you can still buy Helado de potecitos in many a Dominican barrio today. Summer wouldn't be the same without that nearly-daily treat: inexpensive, tasty, and incredibly refreshing.
Instead of helado en funditas I made helado de potecitos because the latter are more environmentally friendly.
What's helado de potecito?
Helado de Potecito, is a Dominican summer treat made by freezing fruit juice in little reusable glass jars (frascos de compota). Like other cottage industries in the DR (such as ice, juice, frituras, pasteles en hoja, etc.), they were a way for stay-at-home moms to contribute some income to the family coffers and, in some cases, support the entire family with it.
It was also a great example of reusing, as the glass jars had to be returned.
Helado de potecito y fresas.
Other versions
This particular one is just fruit frozen mango puree mixed with strawberries, like a super-simple mango and strawberry trifle of sorts. It turned out incredibly creamy and needed no added sugar whatsoever.
You can get creative by adding other fruits if you wish.
Top tips
- Adding sugar: Some fruits may need some added sugar.
- Sweeteners: If you do not want to use sugar but want to make it sweeter, use your preferred sweetener, like agave, honey, maple syrup, etc.
About this recipe
I have to confess that this isn't as much a recipe as a sort of guide, an invitation for you to introduce your kids (and yourself!) to the treats of our childhood.
The only problem? We ate them all in one sitting.
Recipe
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Helado de Potecito (Frozen Mango & Strawberry Jars)
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, diced
- 1 cup mango, diced
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Puree fruit
- Puree strawberries with a food processor or a stick blender. Set aside. Mix mango and vanilla extract and with a food processor or a stick blender. Set aside.
2. Making jars
- Pour two tablespoons of strawberry puree in a small glass jar. Cover with mango puree. Continue layering until you reach the top. Freeze until it's mostly hard. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutrition information.
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Helados en funditas, paletas, helados en potes and more
Frozen fruit in baby food jars or baggies were available from many a neighborhood doña, made with tropical fruits, and a way for us to spend our 'cheles' back in the day.
We have actually turned many of these popular treats into popsicles, especially the most popular ones, like coconut, batata, and my version of the popular "frescavena" of my childhood. You will notice that we have made all of them in popsicles or jars. Helados en funditas are not environmentally friendly at all.
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