04/27/2023
What is Pozole?
April 19, 2023|Pozole
Pozole from Nahuatl languages: pozolli, meaning cacahuazintle, a variety of corn or maize is a traditional soup or stew from Mexican cuisine. It is made from hominy with meat, and seasoned and garnished with shredded lettuce or cabbage, chili peppers, onion, garlic, radishes, avocado, salsa or limes. Known in Mesoamerica since the pre-Columbian era, today the stew is common across Mexico and neighboring countries and is served both as a day-to-day meal and as a festive dish.
Pozole was mentioned in the 16th-century Florentine Codex by Bernardino de Sahagún. Since maize was a sacred plant for the Aztecs and other inhabitants of Mesoamerica, pozole was made to be consumed on special occasions. Today it is a traditional Sunday fare.
Pozole can be prepared in many ways, but all variations include a base of cooked hominy in broth.
The three main types of pozole are blanco (white), verde (green) and rojo (red). White pozole is the preparation without any additional green or red sauce. Green pozole adds a rich sauce based on green ingredients, possibly including tomatillos, epazote, cilantro, jalapeños, or pepitas. Red pozole is made without the green sauce, instead adding a red sauce made from one or more chiles, such as guajillo, piquin, or ancho.
Pozole is commonly served accompanied by a wide variety of condiments. Common condiments include chopped onion, shredded cabbage, sliced radish, avocado, limes, oregano, tostadas, chicharrón, and chiles.
Pozole is served in Mexican restaurants worldwide. It is also popular in the cuisine of New Mexico where it was a common dish among the Pueblo Indians residing along the Rio Grande.
Pozole is also a festive dish. In Mexico, pozole is typically served on New Year's Eve to celebrate the new year. Pozole is frequently served as a celebratory dish throughout Mexico and in Mexican communities outside Mexico. Other occasions for serving pozole include Mexican Independence Day, birthdays, Christmas and other holidays.
