Raspados: Shaved ice full of flavor

By Juan Miret

There is nothing better to beat the heat than a cup full of shaved ice drenched in a fruity syrup, condensed milk and, why not – a touch of salt and a dribbling of the sweet and sour chamoy sauce.

These snow cones, sold out of curb-side carts, are known as “raspados” (literally: “scraped” ice) and are a ticket back to childhood.

Snow cones have other names in Spanish, such as in:

México, Colombia, Panama: Raspado

Cuba: Granizado

Perú: Cremolada

Chile: Mermelada con hielo

Dominican Republic: Frío, Frío

Puerto Rico: Piragua

Venezuela: Cepillado