Pumpkin - The Forgotten Vegetable in Mexican Cooking
Posted: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
by Christine Szalay Kudra
Recipe Publishing Network
You might think of tomatoes and chili peppers when you consider which vegetables are most commonly found in Mexican recipes but there are lots of other vegetables which Mexicans like to add to their foods too. Many Mexican recipes, especially traditional ones, are vegetable rich although these dishes are not well known about outside of Mexico.
Pumpkin is a common vegetable in Mexico and it features in many Mexican dishes. Probably not the vegetable you would expect to see on the menu and of course, you probably are not going to see any pumpkin dishes at your local Mexican restaurant. However, this is beginning to change, with well-known chefs like Rick Bayliss beginning to popularize the vegetable in a Mexican culinary context. This has led to some people interested in trying Mexican pumpkin recipes for themselves.
Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
Mexican pumpkin recipes include a lot of variety, from the popular pumpkin candy dulce de Calabasas to Mexican pumpkin soups to dishes where it is braised, stewed and even mashed and used as a topping for tostadas and as a taco filling! Pumpkin is a versatile vegetable like many other hard shelled squash varieties and Mexican chefs are well aware of this particular quality.
Pumpkin has been used as an ingredient in authentic Mexican meals for hundreds of years; these vegetables are thought to originate in North America, with Mexico, being where they are known to have been cultivated the longest. Actually, pumpkin seeds have been discovered in Mexico and some are believed to be almost nine thousand years old!
As you would expect from this fact, Mexican cooks have had a lot of time to become familiar with the pumpkin and to develop a lot of different Mexican pumpkin recipes. This vegetable is used in nearly every way imaginable in Mexican cuisine, playing both starring and supporting roles in a great many dishes.
Every Part of the Pumpkin - Almost
You may find pumpkin braised with tomatillos and chilies, blended into a spicy soup with beans and herbs or in any number of other ways. Even pumpkin seeds are a common ingredient in traditional Mexican recipes. Roasted pumpkin seeds are used in many different recipes as well as being eaten on their own as a snack.
One of the best-known uses for pumpkin seeds in Mexican cooking is in some types of mole sauce. Not every mole features these seeds, but the famed mole verde of central Mexico relies on this ingredient for its nutty flavor and satisfying mouth feel.
Traditional Mexican food includes a lot of ingredients, which may not immediately come to mind for the average American. However, once you sample some of the amazing vegetable dishes, which the country has to offer, you may find yourself with a whole new list of favorite Mexican recipes.
Copyright (c) 2009 Christine Szalay Kudra
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Does a hot meal made from top quality meat, poultry or fish teamed with the freshest seasonal produce and a clever combination of spices and herbs sound delicious to you? If so, you might like to find out more about traditional Mexican foods and perhaps make your own easy Mexican recipes to savor the real flavor of Mexico.
Find the easiest and best Mexican recipes at: http://www.mexicanfoodrecipes.org
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