Traditional Mexican Foods

This article offers an overview of Mexican and Hispanic foods including fruits, vegetables, tortillas, and other items. Hispanic cuisine often includes chili peppers, jalapenos, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and other ingredients.

Tortillas

Tortillas are thin, round, flat, unleavened bread made from corn or flour. Corn tortillas are ancient, being made since the Aztec era. Corn tortillas are made by flattening the small balls of dough which are cooked on a griddle.

Corn tortillas are commonly 6 inches in diameter and are best cooked fresh. To cook a corn tortilla, heat a skillet to medium high. Lay a tortilla on the hot pan and flip it with a spatula every 30 to 45 seconds. Cook until lightly toasted but still bendable.

Flour tortillas were introduced into Mexican culture when wheat flour was brought to the New World by the Spanish. Flour tortillas have slightly more calories, as a result of the combination of flour and a fat used to make the tortilla dough.

Flour tortillas are available in an array of sizes. Around 11-14 inches is typical for burritos. They also come in a variety of thicknesses, the thickest called "gordita-style."

Fruits and Vegetables

Avocados

Once a rare item, avocados are one of the most popular food items. Avocados are used in everything from tacos to salads. Their pale green flesh is easily mashed into a paste and mixed with onions and spices to make guacamole.

Mangos

Mangos are popular in Mexican cuisine. These delicious fruits come in several variations but all taste similar.

Mangoes can be eaten as is, cut and used in desserts or made into juice.

Prickly Pear Pads

Prickly pear branches (pads) are used as a cooked vegetable in Mexican cuisine. They are sold in stores under the name "Nopalito."

Because of the sharp needles (glochids), great care is required when harvesting or preparing prickly pear cactus.

Both fruits and pads of the prickly pear cactus are thought to be rich in soluble fibers that may help keep blood sugar stable.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a key ingredient in Mexican cuisine. An important ingredient in Mexican sauces, fresh or canned tomatoes are often combined with peppers, onions, herbs, and spices and simmered to enhance flavor. Fresh tomatoes are added to salads, tacos, burritos, and other dishes.

Herbs and Spices

Cilantro

Fresh cilantro has a pungent flavor that goes with most foods. Cilantro is similar in appearance to parsley. It is readily available from grocery stores, farmers markets, and other sources.

Cumin

Cumin has a peppery flavor. It is used ground or whole in stews, sauces, soups, and other dishes.

Cayenne Pepper

This hot pepper is used dried, ground, fresh, and also finely chopped.

Dried Chili Peppers

Dried Chili Peppers

More than 140 varieties of chili peppers are grown in Mexico. Dried chili peppers are usually hot, but others are sweet, mild, or strong flavored.

The hottest part is the interior veins or ribs near the seed heart. If, when the pepper is cut open, the veins have a yellowish orange color, it usually indicates the pepper will be HOT. 

When using fresh or dried chili peppers, cooks may choose to wear gloves. Capsaicin, the chemical that makes peppers taste hot, can cause severe burns.

Cooks should avoid touching their face or eyes while handling chili peppers. If chilies come in contact with bare hands, washing with soapy water may help. If burning persists, soaking hands in a bowl of milk is sometimes recommended.

Garlic

This member of the onion family has a strong flavor and odor. Garlic is used fresh or granulated in sauces, roasts, flavored butters, stews, and marinades.

Native Plants for Home Landscaping

Butterfly Weed

Residential landscaping can greatly improve a property or create a host of problems.

For homeowners, choosing plants for landscaping can be a daunting task.

In many cases, native plants can be good choices for home landscaping projects. Native plants often include trees, shrubs, herbs, wildflowers, grasses, and others.

Native plants have a number of advantages that make them good candidates for home landscaping projects.

Native plants usually require less maintenance than cultured plants. Most need little or no fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemical treatments.

Native plants provide habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife. They are especially useful for pollinator gardens.

Some species produce berries and in fall their leaves display an array of colors.

Native plant species can be effective when implementing rain gardens. A variety of species can be planted together to stabilize areas where periodic water flows occur. 

When choosing native plants, several factors must be considered.

Sunlight is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing plants for a landscaping project.

Water is another consideration. In many areas, drought-resistance will be a major factor when choosing plants for landscaping.

Project costs are usually very important. Labor requirements can affect landscaping projects from start to finish.

Native plants can be found at local nurseries, farmers markets, and other sources. They are often available from local and regional non-government agencies such as environmental and conservation groups.

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