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/ GARNACHAS /
“Be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it…” said God to delicious little corn-based Mexican snacks.
When it comes to street food, Mexico City is an incredible pan-regional smorgasburg. Yes, yes we know you’ve had tacos, flautas, tortas and pozole, but have you ever heard of tlacoyos, pambazos, esquites & guisados? Yup… exactly. Welcome. Take a seat, can I get you some water? Let me help you with your coat.
For a snack to be considered a garnacha, it must have corn/ wheat dough base, must be oily AF, cooked in a comal (a griddle-like flat surface), must be filled with some sort of stew or casserole, consumed in a street stall and cannot be pricey. You should be able to eat a garnacha and pay with a couple of $10 peso coins (about $1 USD for these small heaven-sent fatty delicious appetizers)
Garnacha is in its essence soul food eaten on the street. However, not any street food can be considered garnacha. See what we did there? Step into the Morenita Glossary, right this way:
Gordita
A thin, fried dough patty with a “pocked” sliced into it where all the fillings go. Think of a kangaroo pouch-like concoction, filled with any meat under the sun and lettuce, onion, cilantro, queso fresco, salsa and sour cream.
Huarache
Imagine a long but elongated shape, emulating the shape of a sandal. This edible chancla is covered with beans and you can top it with anything: maybe start with carne asada, nopales (cactus salad), pumpkin flower or huitlacoche (corn smut)?
Tlacoyo
Looks like a diamond but elongated with the edges rounded out, always best to choose the ones made of blue corn. This flattened football-looking thing can be topped with beans, potatoes and cottage cheese along with your favorite animal protein, mushroom or legume.
Pambazo
A bun dipped in red chile sauce, cooked over a comal and filled with potatoes and chorizo. It is garnished with cream, cheese and lettuce. Like a wonderfully ghetto Mexican burger from the barrio.
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