Torta ahogada
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(February 2013) |
 | |
| Type | Sandwich |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Region or state | Guadalajara |
| Main ingredients | Birote salado bread (orbolillodepending on availability),sauce(driedchili peppers), friedporkorchickenorbeans |
Atorta ahogada(Spanish pronunciation:[ˈtoɾtaaoˈɣaða],drowned submarine sandwich) is a typical dish from theMexicanstateofJalisco,particularly in the city ofGuadalajara.[1]Although it is popular in some other parts of Mexico, it is most popular in Guadalajara. It is called "drowned" because the sandwich is submerged totally or partially in asauceconsisting ofvinegar,cumin,and a driedchili peppercalledchile de árbol.[2]Less spicy versions of the sandwich, made with atomato-based sauce, are also available.
History
[edit]
Tortas ahogadas are made with birote bread, characteristic of the region. Specifically, they are made with birote salado (Mexican sourdough bread), which has a thick, crunchy crust and softer interior, which is more salty than sweet. The consistency of the bread permits the sandwich to be submerged in sauce without crumbling or dissolving (which usually happens if usingbolillo), so it's crunchy and moist at the same time.[3]
Legendhas it that when theFrench invaded Guadalajara in 1864,a FrenchSergeant,Camille Perrault, wanted to teach theGuadalajaranshow to makeFrench bread,but didn't have anyyeast.The warm, wet climate enabled him to makesourdough,however, so what they ended up with wasJalisco'sunique birote bread.[4]The name "birote" originated because it was the closest approximation to the pronunciation of "Perrault" by Mexicans at the time.
The bread is sliced open on one side and the sandwich is filled with shreddedpork(orcarnitas),refried beans,andonions.[5]Fillings of shrimp,chickenandcheeseare sometimes available. The sandwiches are often served withonion rings,radishes,avocadosandchili peppers.
The sauce can be either spicy or mild. The first is based on ground arbol chilies,vinegar,garlic,oregano,and other spices. Sweet sauce, which is considerably less spicy, is made of red tomatoes and chili peppers. If the sandwich is ordered "media ahogada" or "half drowned", it is dipped partially in the sauce. If the sandwich is "bien ahogada" or "well drowned", the bread and meat are completely submerged in the sauce until no bubbles emerge.
It is traditional to eat tortas ahogadas inEstadio Jalisco,the football stadium in Guadalajara, in spite of the difficulty in consuming them. They are usually eaten with bare hands, even though tortas ahogadas are messy due to the large amount of sauce used. This delicacy is usually available from street vendors, but it can also be found in restaurants. The origin of the torta ahogada was an accident, according to local lore, when a street vendor, De La Torre at Tortas Ahogadas El Güero dropped a sandwich into salsa.[6][4]The legacy of the original stand continues at Tortas Ahogadas El Güerito.[7]
The torta ahogada is often said to hold a special place in the hearts of many people who are from Guadalajara or have spent time there. Some people go to great lengths to seek out tortas ahogadas in places outside of the region. The people from Guadalajara claim that no one really visits Guadalajara without making a stop to try a torta ahogada.[8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^"Guadalajara".Somewhere Street.Japan. September 2012. NHK World.RetrievedSeptember 1,2016.[dead YouTube link]
- ^"Torta ahogada (Drowned Sandwich)".Taste Atlas.
- ^José R. Ralat (3 Jan 2020)."Ro-Ho Pork & Bread's Torta Ahogada Is a Taste of Guadalajara That's Part Science and Part Art".Texas Monthly.Retrieved18 Apr2023.
- ^abEva Longoria: Searching for Mexico (17 Apr 2023)."This legendary sandwich was created by accident"(Video (2:23)).CNN Tasting the World.
- ^Sofia Navarro (17 Apr 2023).""Tortas Ahogadas" an essential gastronomic element of Guadalajara ".The Yucatan Times.
- ^Ahluwalia, Deepi (9 June 2016)."The Origin of the Torta Ahogada".Life and Thyme.Retrieved29 December2020.
- ^Pepple, Steve."Where to find Tortas Ahogadas in Guadalajara".Vibemap.Vibemap.Retrieved29 December2020.
- ^"Ode to the Torta Ahogada".San Diego Union Tribune.RetrievedAug 18,2009.
Further reading
[edit]- Orange County Register review of restaurant that serves tortas ahogadas
- Lunchtime Steals: Ro-Ho Pork & Bread's Torta Ahogada - San Antonio Current
