The Origins of Our Favorite Latino Dishes
The results are in!
On our Instagram we asked our followers what their favorite Latino dishes were. Based on the results of our this blog will discuss the origins of these popular dishes.
The top favorite foods were Tamales, Chilaquiles, and Ceviche!
Keep scrolling to find all of the sources we used, and to learn even more about some of our favorite dishes!
Tamales
Tamales originated from Mesoamerica, with the first tamales made by the Olmecs. During times of war, soldiers would take corn based dough with meat and wrap it up in corn husk since it was portable and was able to be prepared ahead of time. Later hunters also took them when they went hunting for the same reasons. After the Olmecs, the Aztec and Mayan empires had entire festivals and rituals around eating tamales. Both empires allowed tamales to spread all across Mexico. When Spaniards invaded they added their own flavors to tamales.
Chilaquiles
The word chilaquiles comes from the Nahuatl word chile which means peppers and aquile which means submerged. When tortillas were old or too hard, they were placed in salsa and chilaquiles were made. When the Spanish Colonials arrived in Mexico they added onions and chicken to the dish. By 1821 chilaquiles were referenced in a book called “Arte nuevo de cocina y repostería acomodado al uso mexicano”. However the recipe was different from what is known today. Later by the year 1831 another reference was made about chilaquiles from the book “El Cocinero Mexicano o Colección de Mejores Recetas Para Guisar al Estilo Americano" and the recipe was more similar to what is known today.
Ceviche
Ceviche originated around 2000 years ago during the Moche civilization, which is where Peru is now. The Moche civilization would marinate fish with passion fruit, bananas, and fermented juices. There are other studies stating that the Indcas would also marinate their fish with a Andean beverage which was made with corn. When Spanish colonials came to Latin America they changed the dish by marinating the fish with lime juice and adding cilantro.
The beauty of all these Latino foods is that they are different in every different region AND every family. Each with their own twist in flavors and new ingredients. Continue innovating our favorite foods while still paying respect to the originals we grew and love.
Sources
Tamales
https://www.mexicali-blue.com/the-history-of-tamales/
https://wearecocina.com/lifestyle/tamales-a-rich-history/
Chilaquiles
https://fredystucan.com/en/what-do-we-know-about-chilaquiles/
https://www.mexicali-blue.com/a-taste-of-mexico-the-delicious-history-of-chilaquiles/
Ceviche
https://www.peruforless.com/blog/ceviche/#:~:text=However%2C%20it%20is%20widely%20accepted,local%20passionfruit%20known%20as%20tumbo.
https://southamericabackpacker.com/ceviche-origin/
