Chile en Nogada & Pozole Time! Where to Eat Mexican Independence Day Dishes

What are these dishes?

POZOLE

Pozole is a hearty Mexican dish that originated with the Aztecs and other indigenous tribes in Mesoamerica. It is commonly enjoyed for events all year round. There are different types, red, green and white (like the flag) depending on the ingredients used.

Pozole is a stew or soup that is made traditionally using pork, although sometimes it can be chicken, and ‘hominy’, which is processed corn. The stew is slow-cooked and seasoned with a delicious combination of herbs and spices, and is typically topped with garnishes including shredded lettuce, onions, and lime juice.

CHILE EN NOGADA

Chiles en Nogada is an appetizing seasonal dish that is only be prepared between the months of August and September, when key ingredients such as pomegranate seeds and walnuts are in season.

Developed in the town of Puebla in the 18th Century by Catholic nuns, the dish also incorporates the colors of the Mexican flag (green, white and red) and is said to be one of Mexico’s most patriotic dishes. It’s made using one or two cooked and seasoned Poblano peppers stuffed with a delicate combination of hand chopped meat and sweet ingredients such as apple,  pear, dried fruit and then smothered in a delectable creamy walnut sauce and decorated with pomegranate seeds. The contrast of flavors and textures creates a unique flavor that Mexicans have celebrated for decades.