Perhaps this vendor's sideline — he had a cartful of raspado syrups and the requisite block of ice but just one tub of nieve — was prompted by a figurative windfall of fruit. Although mamey (mah-May) isn't hard to find just now in New York neighborhoods with large Latin American populations, nieve de mamey is rare. If mine looks a little slushy, it might be because the vendor had done very good business and was nearing the bottom of the tub.
Also shown, from a visit to Mexico City's Mercado de la Merced some years ago: a revealing photo of the fruit.
Raspado and nieve vendor
On this afternoon, near the northeast corner of Roosevelt Ave. with 94th St., Jackson Heights, Queens
