I used my molcajete to mash some pine nuts then added some pretty ordinary spices to it and used the pestle to bring it all together. I cleaned it with water only, wiped it out and let it dry. The next morning the inside and the bottom of the pestle were black and it won’t come off. Anyone have a suggestion as to what caused it and how to fix it? It’s not coming out
by _Go_With_Gusto_
5 Comments
Looks like it might be oil from the pine nuts
It’s just oil from the pine nuts. It will go away with use as it seeps into the pores of the stone and subtly flavors your future salsas. That’s the joy of the molcajete.
can u take a spoon and scrape out anything? if not consider it seasoning, if so consider using a metal scrubby.
You could also throw it in your oven at 400 for 1 hour to cure the oil left by whatever was in it last as a seasoning.
Some people intentionally grind garlic in to get the garlic oil into the molcajete and then bake it.
You could try grinding a bit of rice or corn meal in it, to blot up residual oils.