SNO Balls

It's spring time and for all non-NOLA-natives, it's time for a required education in the New Orleans-style Sno Ball. Not Snow Cones, not Granita, but SNO BALLS. (The one above is Mango with condensed milk - yum!)

There are probably several dozen such shops (maybe a hundred?) in the greater New Orleans area, but only a few have "legendary" status and are in the Sno Ball big leagues.

Tee-Eva's (right down Magazine street from where I work) probably deserves to be called more than just a Sno Ball shop, because she makes hella good made-to-order small-batch pralines, and she cooks creole food as well. Tee-Eva's also has the distinction of serving Sno Balls year round (yayy!), whereas many of the other shops in New Orleans are seasonal (Spring and Summer only).

I know....I know. What's the difference?

Snow Cones vs. Sno Balls

"Snow Cones" and New Orleans "Sno Balls" are not the same thing. Snow cones are made up of hard, grated ice and contain medium amounts of syrup. Sno Balls are made of ice that is shaved to the consistency of snow with larger amounts of syrup.
Now I'm going to enjoy my Grape Sno Ball...Have a happy Easter wknd everyone!