Food History

Corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico. When conquistadores arrived in the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City), they found that the people's diet consisted largely of corn-based dishes with chiles and herbs, usually complemented with beans and tomatoes or nopales.^[3] The diet of the indigenous peoples of pre-Columbian Mexico also included chocolate, vanilla, tomatillos, avocado, guava, papaya, sapote, mamey, pineapple, soursop, jicama, squash, sweet potato, bell peppers, peanuts, agave, chili peppers, chicle, sunflower seeds, achiote, huitlacoche, turkey, and fish. In the 1520s, while Spanish conquistadors were invading Mexico, they introduced a variety of animals, including cattle, chickens, goats, sheep, and pigs. Rice, wheat, and barley were also introduced as were olive oil, wine, almonds, parsley, and many spices. The imported Spanish cuisine was eventually incorporated into the indigenous cuisine.

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Mexican Food: Traditional and Modern Mexican Dishes

Mexican food has been always considered to be very spicy. Well, that is partially true. Mexican food history shows that Mexico has given chocolate to the world, as well as several other specialties, including peanuts, vanilla, beans, coconuts and tomatoes. The traditional Mexican cooking makes use of these native elements to produce tasteful meals. With the arrival of specialties like pork, lamb, beef, wine, vinegar and cheese from Spain (brought by the conquerors), the Mexican cuisine evolved, by integrating these European elements into their own traditional meals.

Corn, an important ingredient in Mexican food

Mexican food continued evolving as new products and techniques were introduced into Mexico from different places. We can find recipes and ingredients originally from South America, the Caribbean and even Africa.

The Mexican cuisine eventually met the cuisine from the north, and Tex-Mex food was created. Tex-Mex food is a blend of flavors and recipes from the Mexican, Texan and American culture. Today we can find several different kinds of foods Mexicans eat, from enchiladas, tacos and burritos to award-winning gourmet creations.

Regardless of the foreign elements present in Mexico’s nouvelle cuisine, the main ingredients remain the same recipe after recipe. The most common ingredient used in Mexican food is corn. Like the ancient civilizations that lived in the region, Mexicans have learned how to cook almost every meal with corn. Corn flour is the main component involved in the preparation of the Mexican food, and corn is also used in many forms for a wide variety of meals, including candy.

Another typical ingredient is the chili, which has a strong, hot flavor. It is used to condiment several meals, and is the main component of the Tabasco Hot Sauce. “Chili con Carne”, or Chili and Meat, is a typical preparation involving Chili. It’s a sort of stew, with small pieces of meat and some vegetables all mixed together with hot Chili sauce.

Perhaps the most famous products of the Mexican cuisine are the desserts. Mexican desserts combine hot elements and sweet elements to produce unique sensations on the mouth, because of both flavor and texture, and the combination of smells is also one of a kind.
 
Mexican candy is not only a piece of Mexican food, but also a piece of Mexican art. The “Calaveras de Azúcar”, or sugar skulls, are specially prepared for the Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Corn-flavored candy is also a typical product.

Every tourist will find Mexican cuisine to be an interesting choice. It is commonly said that visiting Mexico and not tasting Mexican food is like not visiting Mexico at all.

Old Town Events

JULY
Historic Old Town Fourth of July
DATE:  July 4 (Wednesday)
An old-fashioned celebration of July 4th. Parade, crafts and activities of early San Diego. Wagon rides, period games, music, food specials, pie-eating contest and more. Flag raising, keynote speaker, military involvement.

Stagecoach Days
(Every Saturday in July and August)
Celebration of the West on the Move with children’s activities, historic interpretation, cannon and anvil firings, and more.

Old Town Events

JUNE
Ladies Day (OTSDSHP event)
June 2 (Saturday)
Event to promote the contributions of women in the development of San Diego and California. Experience weaving, sewing, pottery making and cooking at the time California became a state.  Garden tours, living history activities, people in period attire, and historic games. Try your hand at crafts of the 19th century.

Craft and Fashion Market
June 15-16 (Friday & Saturday)
Bazaar del Mundo

Old Town Events