200 likes | 304 Vues
Latin America. Mexico. What are some of your favorite Mexican dishes?. Geography. Desserts, mountains, grasslands, woodlands and tropical rain forest. Surrounded by Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Geography.
E N D
Latin America Mexico
Geography • Desserts, mountains, grasslands, woodlands and tropical rain forest. • Surrounded by Pacific Ocean, Gulf of California, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Geography • Areas near sea/ocean, fish is an important part of their cuisine. • Dry areas suitable for raising cattle, beef is a staple food. • Areas where rainfall is adequate, able to grow crops.
Culture • Aztecs were the original inhabitants of Mexico • Lifestyle: • Not the wealthiest: Simple homes. • Basic essentials: bed, table, chairs usually hand carved. • Mexican families are close-knit. • Children help family at an early age, often working to help at an early age. Helping with crops, helping with younger siblings.
Culture • Most Mexicans are Roman Catholic • Holidays • January 6th the feast of the Epiphany: Big supper with a special dessert called a “Rosca” a ring shaped cake with a little plastic baby baked inside. • If you get the baby you have to host a party on Feb. 2nd. Feb. 2nd marks the day Jesus’ parents took him to the temple of Jerusalem
Dia De Los Muertos • Mexicans believe dead souls visit between Oct. 31st and Nov. 2nd • Families make altars with candles, photos, favorite foods and drinks of dead loved ones.
Agriculture • About half of Mexico’s people are farmers. • Corn is Mexico’s major crop • Beans are second • Seafood is important along the coastline • Other crops: sugarcane, coffee, tomatoes, green peppers, peas, melons, citrus fruits, strawberries and cacao beans.
Cuisine • Aztecs contributed: • Chocolate • Vanilla • Corn • Peppers • Peanuts • Tomatoes • Avocados • Beans • Papaya
Cuisine • Spaniards contributed: • Oil • Wine • Cinnamon • Cloves • Rice • Wheat • Peaches • Apricots • Beef and Chicken
Characteristics of Mexican Food • Corn: Ground to make: • Tortilla: flat unleavened bread made from cornmeal. • Tacos, Enchiladas, Quesadillas, Burritos, Tostadas, Chips, Tamales. • Use the husks to steam the tamales. • Beans: are cooked until soft and then mashed to make Refried beans. • Peppers: over 30 varieties! • Range in size and color • Taste: Sweet, Mild to Burning hot
Tamale Flauta Tostada
Characteristics of Mexican Food • Farmers grow common vegetables such as: • Zucchini, white potatoes, spinach, lettuce, beets, cauliflower and carrots. • Less common: • Huazontle (Wild Broccoli) • Jicama (gray root) • Nopal (tender cactus leaves) • Chayote (tropical squash)
Huazontle Jicama Nopal leaves Chayote
Fruits: Bananas, Pineapples, Guavas, Papayas, and Prickly Pears. • Sauces and Stews: • Sauces: Mole derived from Aztec word molli- meaning chili-flavored sauce. • Made from chilies, and chocolate is added • Stews: begin with a sauce and are cooked for long hours to develop flavors.
Desserts: • Aztecs toasted and ground cocoa and made chocolate. • Other: • Flan introduced by Spaniards and Portuguese. • TresLeches (moist cake with milk) • Sweet Emanadas • Sweet Bread
Mexican Meals • Desayuno: First meal of the day • Fruit, tortillas, bread or sweet rolls, eggs with chilies- Huevos Rancheros. • Comida: served middle of the day. Biggest meal • Tortillas are traditionally served with a six course meal. • Merienda: is a snack served around 5 or 6 • Cena: Dinner, most families combine Merienda and Cena
Music • Very different everywhere in Mexico. • Norteña, Durangense, Cumbia, Salsa, Banda, Mariachi, Acoustic guitar. • Modern: Rock, Pop. • Throughout the week we will listen to: • Banda, Norteñas, Guitar traditional music. • Cumbia: a little more up beat • Rock and pop in Spanish!
Labs • Wednesday: Beef Tostada • Thursday/Friday: • Flautas, Chicken Tortilla Soup and Mexican Wedding cakes with Abuelita Hot Chocolate!