TYPICAL BAJA CALIFORNIA FOODS: 4 FEATURED DISHES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2024

Some of the typical foods of Baja California are the Cesar salad from Tijuana, the bread from Tecate or the Langosta from Pueblo Nuevo. The gastronomy of Baja California represents a cultural and historical mixture that has shaped a culinary tradition that is nourished by the sea and its most precious fruits.

Seafood and fish abound in this area, which have given rise to a series of well-known gastronomic routes. The tourist exploitation of places like Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos have promoted various initiatives such as festivals and celebrations associated with the culture of food and drink.

Brewery, vineyard, and market spin-off activities that foster culinary appreciation are also popular.

Typical dishes of Baja California

Tijuana Cesar Salad

This recipe arises from the anecdote about some aviators who in 1924 were staying at the Hotel César.

One night they returned to Tijuana very late, they wanted to eat something, but the kitchen had closed and the only thing available was some lettuce. The officers then requested that they prepare a salad.

The manager was chef Livio Santini, who using parmesan, toast, lemon juice, egg, garlic and Worcestershire sauce, surprised the officers with a delicacy.

At that time it was called “Aviators Salad”. Eventually, the owner of the accommodation, César Cardini, assumed the authorship of this international recipe.

Tecate bread

Following the tradition of the great variety of sweet breads of Mexican origin such as corn, marranitos, horns, ears, among others, the version of the city of Tecate is quite unique.

This is because the bakers in charge of making it have followed the tradition that they have inherited from their ancestors.

It is for this reason that they have perfected techniques associated with the use of wood-based brick ovens, which gives it that unique and distinctive flavor.

This famous bread has a variety of shapes, sizes and colors that can be enjoyed in the traditional bakeries in the area.

New Town Lobster

This recipe popularized in the 50s has as its main ingredient the red lobster from the coasts of this region.

It was a set made known by the wives of the Medio Camino fishermen, who after the capture invited the visitors to taste it fried with butter and accompanied by sauce, beans, rice and the traditional flour tortillas.

The Pueblo Nuevo community, located 50 km south of Tijuana, is known for having a gastronomic scene that includes more than 30 places dedicated to making this recipe.

Fish tacos

Made from marinated sharks, this traditional dish also includes a breaded made from eggs and flour.

Locals and visitors enjoy this traditional dish that is served fried in corn tortillas that also includes other ingredients such as lemon, “Pico de gallo” sauce and mayonnaise to taste.

Another popular version of this dish is found in the town of Ensenada, which has a 30-year tradition.

In the Black Market you can find multiple food stalls where they offer various types of fish combined with Mexican sauce.

References

1. Goth I., Nikki. Moon Baja: Including Cabo San Lucas. Handbooks. 2011
2. Gastronomic routes (2017). Gastronomic route. Wine culture and the world's aquarium. Recovered from rutagastronomicas.sectur.gob.mx
3. Bajacalifornia.gob (2017). Our state, the gastronomic route of Baja California. Recovered from bajacalifornia.gob.mx
4. Bernstein, Neil (2016). Guide to the regional cuisines of Mexico. Recovered from foodrepublic.com
5. San Diego (2017). Cali-Baja: The Taste of Sandiego's culinary identity. Recovered from sandiego.org.