O at the Edges

Musings on poetry, language, perception, numbers, food, and anything else that slips through the cracks.

Mole (Pipian)

Posted on February 24, 2015 by robert okaji

Mole (Pipian)

Always the search beneath texture,
layers captured in subsidence,
the drift to interpretation: a mixture, meaning

sauce, and its journey from seed to mouth,
the careful blend of herb and fire,

dismembered chiles,
the crushed and scorched fruit
rendered to preserve for consumption
the most tender qualities

and their enhancement towards art.

This is of course not about the mammal with the subterranean lifestyle, but rather a version of the Mexican sauce, pronounced “mo-lay,” which includes, as a main ingredient, pumpkin seeds. It takes a while to put together, but is well worth the effort.

39 thoughts on “Mole (Pipian)”

meldixonm2d1 on February 24, 2015 at 9:59 am said:

Sure sounded like the mammal in the first few lines! A little startling when you get to the word “sauce” and have to switch gears, but personally I like that little shock.

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 10:07 am said:
  
  Hmm. Mole au vin? Or mole enchiladas with mole sauce? 🙂
  
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Sherrie de Valeria on February 24, 2015 at 10:21 am said:

http://itsfunny.net/just-hungry/

This is making me hungry – with the dismembered chiles and the crushed & scorched fruit. 🙂

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 11:09 am said:
  
  Oh, yes. I could certainly enjoy a bit of mole for lunch. Or dinner. Or a snack. Or breakfast.
  
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Lekha murali on February 24, 2015 at 10:24 am said:

Now I cannot wait to taste mole. Even if I have to eat the worst version of that sauce, the memory of this poem will elevate the flavor.

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 11:11 am said:
  
  There are many different types of mole, so have fun! And thank you for your kind words.
  
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  - Lekha murali on February 24, 2015 at 11:38 am said:
    
    I’ll bear that in mind when I have mole. I love writings that are not contrived and well thought out.
    
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realophile on February 24, 2015 at 11:28 am said:

love the photo of the pumpkin seed. textural heaven!

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 12:41 pm said:
  
  It seemed appropriate. I wish I could claim it as mine, but it’s from morguefile.com.
  
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  - realophile on February 24, 2015 at 1:07 pm said:
    
    great website! thx!
    
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john hauge on February 24, 2015 at 12:01 pm said:

very nice. mole is one of those things that even if it isn’t very good it’s still good. toasted pepitas or pumpkin seeds are very good for the male of our species. prostate wise. a thought for the day. lol.

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 12:43 pm said:
  
  Oh, yeah. I must agree. And I love toasted pumpkin seeds, particularly when they’ve been well seasoned.
  
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Sunshine Jansen on February 24, 2015 at 12:25 pm said:

Oh this is a tasty poem. No matter which kind you like (make mine coloradito!) mole is magical.

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 12:44 pm said:
  
  Thank you, SJ. I agree – it is magical!
  
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Elizabeth Mendiola on February 24, 2015 at 3:30 pm said:

Mmmmm, que rico! I love mole:)

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 3:51 pm said:
  
  What’s not to love about it? Yum.
  
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Albatross-x on February 24, 2015 at 5:03 pm said:

Haven’t had mole in 30 yrs–so good, but I’ve never mastered cooking it myself.

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- robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Can’t say I’ve mastered it, but I can produce a passable one. 🙂
  
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  - Albatross-x on February 24, 2015 at 6:00 pm said:
    
    So then, the party’s at your house–what time?
    
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robert okaji on February 24, 2015 at 6:18 pm said:

Sometime on April 1st. It’ll take me that long to gather both the ingredients and gumption to forge ahead. 🙂

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Holistic Wayfarer on February 24, 2015 at 8:31 pm said:

Wonderful as always, R. Love this esp:

and its journey from seed to mouth,
the careful blend of herb and fire

Love the careful blend of concrete and abstract. *wink*

Diana

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- robert okaji on February 25, 2015 at 6:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Diana. Somehow it doesn’t taste quite as good when I carelessly blend the herbs and fire. 🙂
  
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C on February 24, 2015 at 10:29 pm said:

‘rendered to preserve’ even your verbs are food-y… in agreement with all the other posters who felt hungry after reading this !

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- robert okaji on February 25, 2015 at 6:37 pm said:
  
  Now I’m getting hungry. When will this vicious cycle end?
  
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Poetsmith on February 25, 2015 at 12:19 pm said:

This is so original and sounds a nice nutty sauce! Something I have not heard before… thanks for this, Robert 🙂

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- robert okaji on February 25, 2015 at 6:38 pm said:
  
  Iris, you’re in for a treat. It’s truly magnificent.
  
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Sherrie de Valeria on February 25, 2015 at 1:05 pm said:

Hi there, Robert! It’s just me – Sherrie de Valeria. This is from my other blog site where I do more of a personal writings and poems, and small stuffs. Till the next time again! 🙂

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- robert okaji on February 25, 2015 at 6:38 pm said:
  
  Hi Sherrie. I didn’t know about your other blog site. Thanks for letting me know.
  
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rabidgnome on February 25, 2015 at 7:40 pm said:

Wonderfull, Made me hungry

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- rabidgnome on February 25, 2015 at 7:41 pm said:
  
  I had to re blog this on my blog i enjoyed it so much!
  
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  - robert okaji on February 26, 2015 at 9:03 am said:
    
    Thank you.
    
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- robert okaji on February 26, 2015 at 9:03 am said:
  
  🙂
  
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- robert okaji on February 26, 2015 at 9:04 am said:
  
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rabidgnome on February 25, 2015 at 7:40 pm said:

Reblogged this on Before The Plate.

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- robert okaji on February 26, 2015 at 9:05 am said:
  
  Thanks for reblogging!
  
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Ed on February 26, 2015 at 5:03 am said:

This is one of your most accessible peices, and one of your best. I enjoyed it a great deal and would like to order seconds

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- robert okaji on February 26, 2015 at 9:06 am said:
  
  Well, don’t stop with seconds, Ed. Help yourself to thirds. And thanks for your kind comments.
  
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lightwalker1 on February 26, 2015 at 4:59 pm said:

Yummy! As poetry and as dinner. Kind Regards Cheryle

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- robert okaji on February 26, 2015 at 5:18 pm said:
  
  Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
  
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