If you have walked a bit on the streets of Mérida, you will have noticed that in most parks, plazas, and at city events, every day and at all hours, there are street carts with the sign “Marquesitas”.

What is a marquesita? - Marquesitas are a crispy rolled crepe-type wafer that are rolled up and traditionally filled with melted shredded cheese and a sweet filling of your choice. Watching a marquesita being made is part of the fun of getting one. You can choose from many fillings, including toffee (“Cajeta”), Nutella, or Chocolate with banana, strawberries and/or jelly!. Combine them any way you’d like! They are all delicious. We promise you that once you have tried your first Marquesita, you will want to try a different version.

Traditionally Edam cheese is used in marquesitas. This Dutch cheese might seem like a very odd choice to put in a Mexican street food but it has an interesting past and part of the international influences of the food in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico as far back at the 1800’s.