Platter of Jicama, Avocado, Radishes and Oranges

This is a typical street food in Mexico, sold in market stalls, specially from fruit vendors, who cut up papayas, pineapples, oranges and cucumbers and serve them with salt, chile, and a squeeze of lime. Beautiful powdered spicy red chile molido - ground chile - is mixed with salt and sprinkled over the fruit.

For me, it's a short leap from that cart to the kitchen counter, where a platter of fresh fruits and vegetables translate perfectly to a stand-up appetizer with drinks. Use any combination that appeals to you. For the best red chile powder, visit your Latino or Indian grocery.

1 small jicama, peeled and thinly sliced
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced
1 large bunch radished, trimmed
3 navel oranges, sliced into thick rounds
2 small cucumbers, peeled and quartered lengthwise
A few Mexican or Key limes
Salt
Good-quality chile powder

Arrange all the fruits and vegetables beautifully on one huge platter (or on a banana leaf if you happen to have one handy), and surround with halved limes.

In a small serving bowl, mix equal parts salt and chile powder. Or do this to taste - you can make the mix saltier or spicier. Dip a lime half in the chile mix, rub on the spices, and squeeze the lime juice over the fruit and vegetables.