Popular traditional food in Mexico

At least three times a week, Mexico City bus driver Nicolas Quatencos buys a kind of tamale known as “guajolota” or “turkey.”

food is made of corn material Filled with meat, beans and cheese.Tamales then Wrapped Corn husks, the outer green leaves of the ears of corn, or banana leaves for cooking.

Quatencos has loved this dish since childhood. ” flavorthe fabric, all of that is really good,” a smiling Quatencos said recently.

But tamales aren’t just delicious, they’re also a great way to refuel for work. It also brings wonderful memories to millions of people like Quatencos. He remembers his grandmother preparing tamales for his family celebrations and religious events like his Day of Candlemas on February 2nd.

connection with tradition

Tamale’s purchases on February 2nd are related to previous holidays. Mexican tradition holds that the buyer of the tamales on February 2nd is the one who finds the figure of Baby Jesus on his cake Rosca de Reyes, which is eaten on January 6th, the Day of the Three Kings.

Tamales date back to pre-Hispanic times. Ancient civilizations such as the Olmecs, Mexica, and Maya prepared them for religious offerings and even placed them in special burial grounds.

Tamales are eaten in several neighboring countries under other names such as ‘Fumita’, ‘Pamona’, ‘Haraka’ and ‘Guanime’. But the number of tamales in Mexico is unmatched, says chef and food researcher Ricardo Muñoz Zurita. He identified his 25 families of Mexican tamales. materialwrapping and size.

This tradition dates back to the time when peasants brought ears of corn to the church for blessing. It will bring good luck in future crop plantings.

“Tamal is so popular that I don’t think we will stop producing it this century. isolated We have a full Tamar culture,” said Munoz Zurita.

Like his parents and grandparents, Quatencos said he gathers with his wife, children and other relatives on Thursday to celebrate Candlemass.

“My children found ornament I’ll put it in the cake, but I’ll bring the tamales,” he said, adding that it’s his way of passing on the tradition to his children. It will survive for generations.”

My name is Ashlee Thompson.

Fabiola Sanchez reported this story for The Associated Press.John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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the words of this story

material –n. Bread, cookies, etc. are made by mixing flour, water, and other ingredients and baking them.

Wrap –v. to cover (something) by rolling or folding it around

flavor –n. Quality of what you can taste

material — n. Anything used to make food, products, etc.

isolated — adjective Separate from others.happening in different places at different times

ornament –n. A small figure or model made of wood or plastic.