English: A Chipilín tamale in Oaxaca, Mexico. Español: Tamal de Chipilín en Oaxaca, Mexico. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When most people think of “Mexican food,” what they are really thinking of is “Tex-mex.” While we love the Americanized versions of Mexican food, real Mexican food is just as delicious – not to mention being rooted in the ancient Aztec Empire.
Before the Spanish arrived, the Aztecs had constructed a complex food system that allowed them to efficiently feed their people. Most of the food consisted of fruit, vegetables, fish, birds, and even dog and insects.
Feeding a population is impressive, but feeding a population like that of Tenochtitlan is simply amazing. When the conquistadors arrived, Tenochtitlan was the world’s largest city with a staggering population of 200,000 people.
To feed their people, the Aztecs used both urban farming and aquaculture to grow maize, beans, squash, a variety of chilli peppers, and cocoa beans.
One Mexican dish that has been traced back to the Aztecs is tamales, or tomales. A filling of either meat or vegetables is wrapped in a dried corn husk lined in masa, a corn-flour mixture, and baked.
So if you get a chance, try some authentic Mexican food and get a taste of the Aztecs.
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