The typical food of Oaxaca, Mexico, include the black mole, grasshoppers and tlayudas. In 2008 the Oaxaca Congress gave this gastronomy the status of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the state.
The name Oaxaca means "the place at the tip of the gourd" in the Nahuatl language, and it is the state that has the most ethnic groups in the entire country, which is evident in its gastronomy and culture.
The basic ingredients of Oaxacan cuisine are corn, beans, and various types of chili. In addition, the various indigenous cultures have left their mark on the creation of the recipes.
Oaxaca is known as "the state of the 7 moles" due to the great importance of this sauce in its cuisine.
Each one is named after its color or the main ingredient: black, yellow, red, chichilo (from the name of the main pepper), red and green. The seventh is out of this classification and is called "tablecloth stain."
The 5 main typical foods of Oaxaca
one-
The Aztecs already prepared a sauce that combined tomato, cocoa, spices and different types of chili.
Over time, this preparation evolved into the known moles. In Oaxaca there are up to 200 different kinds, but the most famous is the black mole.
It is a complicated recipe, with 34 different ingredients. Among them, several kinds of roasted chili, cocoa, peanuts, plantain or tomato stand out.
In this recipe you cannot miss spices such as cumin or black pepper. It is used to accompany meat dishes, especially chicken.
two-
It is a fairly simple dish that has become one of the gastronomic references of Oaxaca.
Born in the valleys of the state, the name comes from the word "tlao-li" (shelled corn) in Nahualt. To this was added a Spanish suffix that means "abundance" (uda).
Although it is sometimes confused with the whole meal, tlayuda is the name of the corn tortilla in which the rest of the ingredients are placed.
It is a large omelette, between 30 to 40 centimeters in diameter, and is browned on a comal leaving it almost toasted.
The most traditional thing is to take it with pork, Oaxacan cheese and hot sauce.
3-
Among the various insects consumed in Mexico, this Oaxacan specialty stands out: grasshoppers.
In the state there is a saying that states that whoever tries this dish will never leave Oaxaca. This type of grasshopper was already consumed 3000 years ago by the natives. They are currently found in many street stalls.
Their preparation is not too complicated, you just have to make sure they are very clean before adding garlic, lemon juice and maguey worm salt.
Once this is done, it only remains to toast them on a comal to make them crisp.
4-
Tamales have been a common dish throughout Mesoamerica since ancient times; there are references to the year 8000 BC.
The origin of the name is the Nahuatl word "tamalli", which means "wrapped." Tamales can be found in almost any corner of all localities.
It is a simple meal made with corn dough, to which other ingredients are added.
In Oaxaca they are usually wrapped in banana leaves, although they can also use leaves of the same corn.
The most typical of the state are those with chicken mole, chepil with Oaxaca cheese or those with red mole, vegetables and shrimp.
Some are prepared with chicatana (a type of ant) or with jam of various fruits.
5-
This sweet is one of the great gastronomic and religious traditions of Oaxaca, although it is pointed out that in recent years it is being lost due to the lack of interest of the youngest.
As its name indicates, these empanadas are eaten on Corpus Christi, coinciding with the religious celebration that fills the streets of the cities.
The empanadas are shaped like a half moon and are filled with milk, coconut or pineapple. The ingredients to make them are very simple: wheat flour, eggs, salt and lard.
After preparing the dough and filling, there are two cooking options: bake or fry.
References
- Noll, Daniel. From Tlayudas to Tamales (Eating Our Way Around Oaxaca). (September 17, 2017). Retrieved from uncorneredmarket.com
- Delgado, Arantxa. 5 typical dishes of Oaxaca that you have to try. Obtained from mexicodesconocido.com.mx
- Arnold, Amanda. 7 Essential street food to inhale in Oaxaca. (June 23, 2016). Retrieved from saveur.com
- Starkman, Alvin. Chapulines in Oaxaca, Mexico: Healthy Protein-rich Food. Retrieved from tomzap.com
- Come and meet. Oaxaca. Obtained from venyconoce.com.mx