ANKO FOOD MACHINE EPAPER May 2020
Who invented tortilla?
20 May, 2020In this issue, let's visit Europe, Americas, and the Middle East to discover the mysteries of local traditional delicacies and, over thousands of years, the dishes have evolved into what they taste like today.
The Time-Proved Traditional Delicacies
Food is not only the necessity for human survival, but our diets also reflect the natural habitat that we dwell on, and it reflects the various cultural differences around the world. In this month's newsletter, we'd like to focus on "Tortilla", "Ravioli" and "Falafel", iconic foods that represent three different regions and food traditions.
Tortilla - The delicious staple of Central America since 10,000 BC.
First of all, tortilla could be traced back to around 10,000 BC during the Ancient civilization of the Aztecs, and it already was the staple of most Central America. The name "tortilla" derives from the Nahuatl word "tlaxcalli", till the Spanish discovered the New World, then renamed and introduced this flatbread to the world. The tortilla was originally made with maize since there are more than 3,000 different corn varieties native to Central America, which later on became one of the most important crops in the world.
Traditionally, corn was first treated with lime water, husked and then grounded with water and made into dough, then pressed into individual flat pieces and cooked. Nowadays, tortilla could be found in most Mexican restaurants.
In order to meet the global and mass-market demand, tortillas are now mostly made by machinery, especially in the American markets, tortilla has become the second most popular item in the bread category, more so than bagel and muffin. On top of corn tortilla, flour tortilla is also widely consumed, the two are different in flavors and textures, but both have loyal fans.
Tortilla could be enjoyed as flatbread or wraps, could be consumed as it is or made into sandwich wraps, it's versatile and could be made into different dishes, such as:
- Burrito: usually made with a larger tortilla to wrap in meats, beans, cheeses, and salsas, rolled into a sandwich wrap.
- Taco: soft shell or hard, it uses smaller tortillas to hold savory toppings and salsas.
- Enchilada: stuffed tortilla wraps that are baked and topped with refried beans or different sauces.
- Quesadilla: tortilla topped with cheeses and/or other ingredients, then folded and heated till the cheese melted; or it could be eaten with some fajita.
- Tortilla Chips: small pieces of deep-fried tortilla that are crispy and great for snacking.
- Nachos: a pile of tortilla chips topped with meats, cheeses and/or refried beans.
Ravioli – It has conquered the palates of Italians from the 14th century.
In Europe, ravioli is the pillow-like Italian dumplings that are made with two thin egg pasta sheets and scrumptious filling, they are the taste of "home" for many Italians, and also considered a delicacy for many more. So much so, the "National Ravioli Day" is observed on the 20th of March in the U.S.A., people celebrate this food holiday by making and enjoying various types of savory or sweet ravioli, and pass down the tradition of this delicious Italian pasta to the next generations.
Ravioli is famous for the al dente pasta with a wide spectrum of flavors, the most common ones are stuffed either with ricotta cheese, meats, cheeses, and/or vegetables. Ravioli may have conquered the palates of Italians as early as the 14th century, originally served with a clear soup as a first plate or for quick snacking, but not until the 16th century, tomatoes were introduced to Italy, we are able to enjoy ravioli with red sauces, the match made in heaven.
Most ravioli are stuffed and cut into squares, but other shapes are also created for visual pleasure. And being part of the "dumpling" family, there is the Jewish relative called "kreplach", which is stuffed with meats, and "gujiya" in India is a type of fried dumpling, often filled with sugar, spices, and dried fruits. All are delicious and can represent different cultures and traditions.
Falafel - A Middle Eastern tasty snack can be traced back to the Egyptian Pharaohs.
In the Middle East, falafel is a popular snack made with pulses and spices, and deep-fried. The origin of this delicacy is unknown, however, the Egyptians claim to have invented it, but the Arabian world still consider themselves to be the creator of the dish.
Some say the invention of falafel could be traced back to the time of the Pharaohs, but this is questionable since frying oil isn't accessible till much later in time. However, nothing can change the fact or the importance of falafel in people's lives in the Middle East. Falafel is not only a tasty treat, but also essential during religious events and festivals, and the recipe of this delicacy have also traveled with the footsteps of the Middle Eastern immigrants, spreading its popularity to Northern America, Europe, and other continents, satisfying the increasing vegetarian markets.
Falafels are most commonly made with chickpeas or broad beans, usually, the pulses are cooked and mashed, then added with chopped onions, garlic, salt, herbs, and spices, it's then mixed, shaped into balls or small patties and deep-fried. Not only it could be enjoyed hot, but could also be eaten with salads. Otherwise, it could be made into falafel pita sandwiches, with added tahini sauce or yogurt and chopped greens. In the Middle East or other Western countries, little falafel stands are popping up on the streets, selling delicious and affordable snacks and sandwiches, attracting eaters around the stalls, waiting to have a bite of this divine treat.
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