Discover and re-discover Mexico’s cuisine, culture and history through the recipes, backyard stories and other interesting findings of an expatriate in Canada
The species Cucurbita pepo includes several edible winter and summer squash varieties; archeological evidence in Mesoamerica, and specifically in Mexico, shows that varieties of C. pepo were probably first domesticated there, and have been grown for the past 8,000 to 10,000 years. The blossoms are bright yellow/orange,and attract pollinators, but are also pursued for human consumption … click on title for more
Culturally, a milpa is a holistic way to grow food in harmony with nature. This year, my milpa has the three sisters (corn, beans and squash) growing once again, as well as other vegetables and quelites (pot herbs) … click on title for more
These tasty corn dough (masa) preparations are shaped like, and named after, the chalupa, a small boat that, in Mexico, has served as water taxi, produce transport, or floating food stand, for centuries … click on title for more
A chalupa is a small boat, usually rowed or poled. In the 16th century, when Spanish conquerors arrived to Central Mexico, they admired how the areas surrounding Tenochtitlan (today's Mexico City downtown area) had been developed into a system of gardens and farming parcels, seemingly floating on the lakes, interconnected by numerous small boats that they called chalupas. Around the same time, up North in Canada, another type of chalupa was playing an important role as well … click on title for more
There is a very popular board game in Mexico called Lotería – Lottery, the literal translation to English, corresponds to its definition, since its outcome is governed by chance. One particular card - # 48 La Chalupa - was so popular, that many Mexican Americans in Texas grew up calling the game “Chalupa”... click on title for more
My Slice of Mexico 