1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:05,400 Speaker 1: Tortilla's aside, corn gave rise to so many American foods, 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:08,560 Speaker 1: many of them are deliciously stuffed. 3 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 2: Yes, yes, we have the gordavitas from Mexico, the pupusas 4 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:14,960 Speaker 2: from the Salvador at a bass from Venezuela. 5 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:16,920 Speaker 3: They also make it. 6 00:00:18,480 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: Yes, they're very similar, but each country makes it their own. 7 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:28,840 Speaker 4: My name is Eva Longoria and I am My t 8 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 4: Gomez Rajon and welcome to Hungry for History, a podcast 9 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,120 Speaker 4: that explores our past and present through food. On every episode, 10 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:40,480 Speaker 4: we'll talk about the history of some of our favorite dishes, ingredients, 11 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 4: and beverages. 12 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: From our culture. So make yourself at home, even Brochel. 13 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:50,279 Speaker 3: So let's talk about similarities. 14 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 1: I don't know the difference, well, I don't know the 15 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: difference between borditas and pupusas and arepas, but when I 16 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: eat that, my I taste a difference. But like because yeah, 17 00:01:03,600 --> 00:01:05,040 Speaker 1: they're like a hot pocket. 18 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:09,039 Speaker 2: They kind of are hot pockets. Yeah, they're just like 19 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,639 Speaker 2: they're all hot pockets. I know that tastes so different 20 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 2: than than a gorbita completely different, yeah, completely, and the 21 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 2: like they're all so different, like different textures, right, but 22 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 2: the one thing that unifies them is the corn. 23 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:27,080 Speaker 3: They're all like. 24 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 2: Very practical, right, They're small, they're portable, they're affordable. Right, 25 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 2: there's something that you know, people of that everybody eats, 26 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:40,240 Speaker 2: and they're like a super popular street food. 27 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:45,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean they're also I think, right, are flatter now, 28 00:01:45,240 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 1: they're like flatter and softer, are Yeah? And isn't there 29 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: a difference between I feel like, is it gordica which 30 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,640 Speaker 1: one you cook it first and then stuff it and 31 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:03,920 Speaker 1: the some are stuffed and then cooked all together, right, 32 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 1: I mean, yes. 33 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 2: The gorditas are the ones that I'm most familiar with 34 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: because that's the one that I kind of grew up eating. 35 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 2: They're cooked, and then there's and then they're the mass 36 00:02:14,160 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 2: has cooked and then it's sliced. 37 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 3: Open, kind of like a sandwich. 38 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: And then yeah, gordita a sandwich. It's a Mexican sandwich, 39 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 1: but with a massa not like right, but it's not atorta, 40 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:28,079 Speaker 1: which is not a gurdita. 41 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 2: No, And it's not a plego yo either. There's so many, right, 42 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 2: there's so many different things, you know what else? I mean, 43 00:02:36,040 --> 00:02:37,519 Speaker 2: but others could be in this group. 44 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:39,399 Speaker 3: That is true. That is true. 45 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 1: They're stuffed, They're stuffed and they're fried and toasty, and 46 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: you know they're just all neighboring Latin American countries that 47 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,720 Speaker 1: that I mean shared a common land thousands of years ago. 48 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:56,399 Speaker 1: So even though it's not the exact same, they're all related. 49 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,960 Speaker 3: They're all related. Yeah, and there are something very nistound 50 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 3: jick about all of them. 51 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 2: Right. You taste one and it's like, oh my gosh, 52 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:04,840 Speaker 2: this feels like home. 53 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 3: Like it's just so grounded. 54 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 2: And I think it is because of this, because of 55 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 2: the corn, because of this kind of base ingredients, right, 56 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 2: and now they're popular all over the world with organization. Yeah, 57 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:21,799 Speaker 2: so it's like beyond the nation's borders, we are lucky, 58 00:03:21,919 --> 00:03:23,919 Speaker 2: especially living in a city like La, like we could 59 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:27,360 Speaker 2: taste staple foods like all over well. 60 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 1: And somebody, I feel like anytime something stuffed, that means 61 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 1: it's going to be good. I don't know why. Like 62 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 1: I love a corn dog stuff stuff, so WEENI inside 63 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,960 Speaker 1: that and fry it. Like but you're like, well, it's 64 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:44,800 Speaker 1: just it's just a hot dog, Weenie. And then you're like, no, 65 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: it's stuffed. 66 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 3: It's different. 67 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 1: Yes, yes, why does stuffed things taste so good? 68 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 2: There's actually believe it or not science around this taste 69 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 2: about this, like stuffing creates these pockets where flavors intensify, 70 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 2: and this kind of leads to this really impactful taste experience, 71 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:12,600 Speaker 2: right because everything is different. So you bite into it 72 00:04:12,640 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 2: and the xteries crispy and then the inside is creamy 73 00:04:15,960 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 2: or juicy, so your mouth it never gets bored, like 74 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 2: you're always Yeah, it's like this, it's it's it's keeps 75 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: the palid guessing and yeah. So you have the carbs 76 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,320 Speaker 2: on the outside and then the fats on the inside, 77 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 2: and it's this just kind of. 78 00:04:32,960 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 3: Perfect dopamine release of pleasure. 79 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 2: What else? 80 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:41,520 Speaker 1: What other? We did another episode that was like, well, 81 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: spicy has a a science, but. 82 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 2: Jile Yeah, because it triggers. Is it the dopamine? I 83 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,040 Speaker 2: think there's something in the brain. 84 00:04:50,880 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 1: Going back, yes, you want yeah, yeah. 85 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 2: The Tina's like your mouth is burning, your sweating, and 86 00:04:58,000 --> 00:04:59,520 Speaker 2: it's like, okay, give me more, give me a. 87 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 1: I mean, you know when our brain rewards us for eating. 88 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: I'm on board with that. Well, let's okay, let's start 89 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:10,039 Speaker 1: with the APA. 90 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 5: And I think there's a bit of a heated rivalry 91 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,360 Speaker 5: here because I thought they were Venezuelan and then when 92 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 5: I saw a Gundl the movie, uh huh, the mom 93 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 5: would make magic gotripas and I go, oh my god. 94 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,719 Speaker 5: This whole time I thought they were from Venezuela and 95 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:26,760 Speaker 5: my friend was like they are. 96 00:05:27,000 --> 00:05:29,840 Speaker 1: Then I go, oh, but the movie is super Colombian 97 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,080 Speaker 1: and I didn't know there was. It was contested. 98 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 3: It's contested. 99 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:38,800 Speaker 2: They both claim the they. 100 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 3: Both claim ownership to it. But they're very very different. 101 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 2: They're basically Colombian and Venezuelan and APAs are cousins. 102 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:48,800 Speaker 1: Basically, Okay, okay, what's a difference. What's the main difference. 103 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 2: The main difference is that Venezuelan arepas are thick, and 104 00:05:54,400 --> 00:05:57,880 Speaker 2: they're sliced open and stuffed with There's something that they 105 00:05:57,960 --> 00:06:01,039 Speaker 2: use called reine piada, which is hit in with avocado 106 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:05,279 Speaker 2: and mayo or they there's one that I've had called them, 107 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 2: you know, that's being black beans and cheese and so. 108 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 2: But they're stuffed and it's a meal like eaten for breakfast, lunch, 109 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 2: for dinner, whatever. 110 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:12,240 Speaker 3: It's like a meal and of. 111 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:16,640 Speaker 2: Itself, and Colombian at it pass are thinner and they're simpler. 112 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 2: They're grilled, they're fried, and they're served on the side. Oh, 113 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 2: with like butter or cheese or something like that. Oh 114 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 2: my gosh, what it's a big difference. Yeah, they're different, 115 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:29,400 Speaker 2: but it's. 116 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:33,279 Speaker 1: Me well yeah, oh yeah, yeah that arena piana I've 117 00:06:33,320 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: had in uh A, Miami. 118 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 5: Oh yeah, I had it Yeah at the at like 119 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 5: a farmer's market. 120 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, it sounds fair. We might get where we might 121 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 1: get comments. And I want to tell Venezuelans and Colombians 122 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:49,839 Speaker 1: please chime in we're getting something wrong. 123 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:53,160 Speaker 2: Yes, please please, please, please, please please try in leave 124 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 2: us comments. 125 00:06:53,920 --> 00:06:58,200 Speaker 1: We will do corruptions on another episode. But but where 126 00:06:58,200 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: does the word on it but come from? 127 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:04,560 Speaker 2: The word apa comes from an indigenous word edba, meaning corn. 128 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 2: You then, this word was used by the Kumanaroto in 129 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 2: pre Columbia, Venezuela and Colombia. And this is where the 130 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:16,080 Speaker 2: staple food ingredient. This is where the staple food originated. 131 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:20,520 Speaker 2: So you know it's again this this idea you know 132 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 2: of corn, and so it's one of this food. The 133 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 2: arepas are an ancient food. Like indigenous women in the 134 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 2: in this region, right, they would soak the corn kernels, 135 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 2: dehust them, and grind them into fine flour and then 136 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 2: cocon A gomal called so very similar to. 137 00:07:41,280 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 1: The to the gordita, to the Yeah, well to Mexico 138 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: because I think, you know, corn was vital to indigenous 139 00:07:48,040 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: communities in meso America, Like we know that. I didn't 140 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 1: realize how vital it was uh in Venezuela. And so 141 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: let's talk a little bit about how corn really was 142 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: also vital to South America. 143 00:08:05,200 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 2: It was, and it's interesting and that in Mexico it's 144 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 2: like and in Central America it's like the Nicksamalis dough. 145 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 2: And we've talked about this, you know, so so many 146 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 2: times and just like a quick review. Niximalization is this 147 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 2: ancient meso America practice or process of soaking and cooking 148 00:08:23,160 --> 00:08:27,320 Speaker 2: dried corn and an alkaline solution to soften, remove the 149 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 2: hulks and the hull and this improves. 150 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 3: The flavor and also adds nutrition. 151 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 2: So this is something that was first documented about fifteen 152 00:08:34,520 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 2: hundred BC in Whatemala. They were also doing this in 153 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 2: South America, but it wasn't always nix stimalized, and that 154 00:08:42,440 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 2: is really interesting. 155 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: I think. 156 00:08:43,720 --> 00:08:47,280 Speaker 2: So the dough used for Ada bus, that is the 157 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 2: ad bus that are made from nix stamalized dough are 158 00:08:50,440 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 2: called aripas be lavas, and these are the ones that 159 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:57,520 Speaker 2: are most connected with tradition, so that be lavas because 160 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:00,800 Speaker 2: they're peeled right the husk is removed, are smoke ear 161 00:09:01,000 --> 00:09:04,800 Speaker 2: and earthier and more sort of a deeper flavor. But 162 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:09,080 Speaker 2: after the nineteen fifties they developed a fine corn meal 163 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 2: called massarepa, kind of like the Mexican masadina. But the 164 00:09:13,160 --> 00:09:17,320 Speaker 2: Mexican messadina uses nick stimilized corn, the massareppa does not. 165 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,719 Speaker 2: And so that's sort of one of the main differences 166 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:26,440 Speaker 2: between really the gorrita and the arepa is that the 167 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:30,720 Speaker 2: arepa uses corn that is not nique stimilized. 168 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 1: I don't know, but I find that fascinating, fascinating. I 169 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 1: didn't know all of that. I didn't know. I don't 170 00:09:39,679 --> 00:09:42,439 Speaker 1: know why I don't associate venezuela with corn. 171 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 2: With corn, and they are huge producers of corn Venezuela. Yeah, Yeah, 172 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 2: it's really interesting. It's just not like like it wasn't 173 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,000 Speaker 2: meso America. It's like the soul of the heart. But 174 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:55,719 Speaker 2: it's still a really important, you know crop in the 175 00:09:56,080 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 2: you know, the Americas. 176 00:09:57,640 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, and it's funny because Venezuela has a semi are 177 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: saying they save us in Spain. Also, a baby is 178 00:10:04,120 --> 00:10:07,760 Speaker 1: born with an under their arm, which insinuates that are 179 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 1: written in the DNA of a newborn of Venezuelan. But 180 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: we have similar with the with THEE. 181 00:10:16,840 --> 00:10:20,439 Speaker 2: You have the nobile on your forehead, right, it's obvious 182 00:10:20,480 --> 00:10:21,359 Speaker 2: you're Mexicans. 183 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 3: Yes, you're Mexican. Yes, it's obvious. 184 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 2: But I love that those expressions, right that it's like 185 00:10:27,760 --> 00:10:31,400 Speaker 2: so related, like the food is in somebody's DNA. 186 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, and that's like, like it's interesting because the how 187 00:10:36,360 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: do you say it's not a how do you what's 188 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: a place that makes because I say takaria, So it's 189 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:44,559 Speaker 1: a place and it's either. 190 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 2: The they they're these social hubs and yes, thats basically 191 00:10:54,280 --> 00:10:57,079 Speaker 2: and it's like, you know, symbols of identity and tradition 192 00:10:57,240 --> 00:10:58,880 Speaker 2: and they're found all over the world. 193 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:01,080 Speaker 3: Now just like that ideas. 194 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: So I don't associate Venezuela with corn based dishes, but 195 00:11:04,080 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 1: they actually have a lot they have a lot's yeah, yeah, 196 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:12,439 Speaker 1: the themales and they're stuff, yes, they're tamales and these 197 00:11:12,440 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 1: are stuffed with chicken, pork or beef and raisins keepers. 198 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 2: And olives very your favorite raisins. I feel the same. 199 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 2: It's like safralege basically, So this. 200 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: Is where it comes from. 201 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 6: Who would think to put a raisin in a maus 202 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:35,679 Speaker 6: and this? Now, I know, boy, you can blame me 203 00:11:35,720 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 6: Venezuelan friends. Yeah, but you see it in Mexico too, 204 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 6: the sweet tamales they have raisins. 205 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, there's definitely a European thing that was you know, 206 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 2: brought over, right, because yeah, the raisins they're not native, no, no, no, 207 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:51,560 Speaker 2: but the massa is is kind of orange because they 208 00:11:51,679 --> 00:11:54,199 Speaker 2: use anato are the seeds that you see a lot 209 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 2: in Yucatan, and this is something that that that is 210 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 2: native to this region as well, and it's. 211 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 3: Wrapped in banana leaf and boiled and cooked. 212 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,160 Speaker 2: The banana was brought over from Africa, right, So it's 213 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:08,520 Speaker 2: like yeah, so it's like this mix of all of 214 00:12:08,559 --> 00:12:12,760 Speaker 2: these different cultures, the massa, the raisins from Europe, the 215 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 2: native acciota, and then the banella leafs from Africa. 216 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 3: So it's this blending of cultures and classes. 217 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:22,560 Speaker 2: Right. It was thought to be created by enslaved Africans 218 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 2: during the colonial era. 219 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 3: So like so many dishes of Latin America. It's they're up. 220 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: You know. 221 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 3: They're all about change and adaptability, so that's one of them. 222 00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 2: They also have something called botos that are the little 223 00:12:35,600 --> 00:12:36,240 Speaker 2: Have you had them? 224 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:41,680 Speaker 1: I feel like this sounds what you're about to say, 225 00:12:42,000 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: sounds like the potato balls I get from. 226 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:46,079 Speaker 3: A torto. 227 00:12:47,559 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 1: Acause brown beef. Right, yeah, those aren't in a tomato sauce. 228 00:12:53,320 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 1: This one's in a tomato sauce. 229 00:12:54,840 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 3: This in tomato. 230 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 2: But these are corn. These are corn dough balls. The 231 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,559 Speaker 2: porta potato. Oh my god, I can taste it. You 232 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 2: said it and I tasted it. It's so good. Colombia 233 00:13:04,040 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 2: also makes them, but with yuca, and then of course banavas, 234 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 2: which are delicious, love love, love love. And they have 235 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:16,120 Speaker 2: something called cachaas that are the These are really interesting. 236 00:13:16,160 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 2: Got chapas sweet and savory. They are these corn pancakes. 237 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 2: They're almost like said yes, but they're so. They cook 238 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 2: the basically the pancake batter that's corn slightly sweet. They 239 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 2: cook it and then they put cheese, the cheese called gasomano, 240 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 2: which is like a similar to mozzarella, and then they 241 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 2: fold it in half, so it's similar to but a 242 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:42,319 Speaker 2: totally different flavor and a totally different texture. This is 243 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 2: sweet and savory corn pancas, so not. 244 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 1: Like yah, yeah, I didn't know this that venezuela. The 245 00:13:49,440 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 1: name venezuela means a little venus. I had no idea 246 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:57,280 Speaker 1: because that makes sense, venezuela and it was coined by 247 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 1: Amedigo Vespucci in fourteen ninety nine when he saw indigenous 248 00:14:04,000 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 1: still houses cloud called balafitos around a lake, which reminded 249 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: him events, and then the name stuck later when it 250 00:14:12,200 --> 00:14:13,199 Speaker 1: was colonized by Spain. 251 00:14:13,640 --> 00:14:14,679 Speaker 3: Isn't that interesting? 252 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:16,320 Speaker 1: No idea? 253 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 2: All? 254 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 5: Right? 255 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: After the break, we are talking. Gordita's ample pool says, 256 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:29,880 Speaker 1: don't go anywhere. Let's get back to our topic, our 257 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:31,600 Speaker 1: hot corn hot pockets. 258 00:14:32,240 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 3: Because Mexico we have our own virgin. 259 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 2: La gardita, little fat ones, so many and so many 260 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 2: nicknames right in Mexico, many nicknames. 261 00:14:42,000 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 3: Everything has a nicknames. 262 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 1: I definitely grew up with this one. And these are 263 00:14:46,160 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: like sometimes they're they're cooked on a griddle and sometimes 264 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:55,400 Speaker 1: they're fried. They're different now, but they're nextimalized horn, yes. 265 00:14:55,680 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 2: They are, but yes, I think, yeah, in Mexico they 266 00:14:58,400 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 2: have nick stemlized corn and there delicious and they're stuffed 267 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:05,320 Speaker 2: with anything from braised meats to titarn and they are 268 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 2: topped with salsa, and they really vary from region to region, right, 269 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 2: and so the ones that are cooked on the comal 270 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 2: are a little bit more tender, and then of course 271 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 2: the ones that are fried are like, oh fried, but 272 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:20,440 Speaker 2: they're just like this comfort food, right. They also have 273 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 2: sweet gorditas like thea that are made with piloncillo and 274 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 2: they're tiny, so there, yeah, there there's so many regional 275 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 2: differences of the gorditas, but they're little fat ones because 276 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 2: they're stuffed. 277 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: It's such a cute nickname, so cute, but you know, 278 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:39,560 Speaker 1: it is a term of endearment. I actually love. 279 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 2: You know. 280 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: I was so skinny growing up that they sometimes called me. 281 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:46,720 Speaker 1: They're as like, you know, I'm not. That's another thing 282 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: about a polos, like it could be the complete opposite. 283 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 1: Like they're called they'll call like a bigger person fla, yes, 284 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: And I was so skinny, I was like skin and 285 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 1: bones when I was little, and they would call me gorneta. 286 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:00,440 Speaker 3: That's so sweet. 287 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 2: You definitely have to have a sense of humor. There's 288 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 2: something so endearing nicknames my god, oh my god. To 289 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 2: arrive in Latino culture, you have to have a sense 290 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 2: of humor. Yeah, you have to have thick skin. 291 00:16:12,120 --> 00:16:13,320 Speaker 1: You have to skin. 292 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 3: You have skin, there's no choice. 293 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 1: I never had a pupusa before moving to LA and 294 00:16:20,440 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: too oh yeah, yeah yeah, I mean, why would we 295 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 1: in Texas? But when I moved to LA one of 296 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 1: my first friends that I met here who's been my 297 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:31,840 Speaker 1: best friend of thirty years. She's Salvadorian and so she 298 00:16:31,960 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 1: took me to go eat these and I said, oh, garbitas. 299 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: I literally said that. She's like, no, absolutely not. I 300 00:16:38,680 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: was like, it's not where do these come from? 301 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 3: So they're also ancient, right, The pupoosas are also ancients. 302 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:50,040 Speaker 2: The archaeological evidence of popoosa making tools was discovered around 303 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:54,600 Speaker 2: two thousand years ago, and the word poopoosa lightly derives 304 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 2: from the bill word poposawa, which translates into stuffed or swollen. 305 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: And so they. 306 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 2: Originally were made with you know, with with with squash 307 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 2: and with just native ingredients, and then we started seeing 308 00:17:09,840 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 2: the influence of you know, things like pork and just 309 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:16,560 Speaker 2: the other meats that you know, post post conquest meats. 310 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 2: The meat exactly, but what I find really interesting about 311 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 2: buboosas is, in the nineteen thirties, rice flour began to 312 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 2: be used as an alternative to corn. I found that 313 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:33,920 Speaker 2: super interesting. So of course that come from they came 314 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:37,280 Speaker 2: from originally they were made with uniqu stimilized corn, and 315 00:17:37,359 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 2: they still are. And then when the Spanish arrived, of 316 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:45,080 Speaker 2: course everything around corn became destabilized, and land was taken 317 00:17:45,160 --> 00:17:47,320 Speaker 2: and meat buzz were broken up and all of this, 318 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 2: you know, stuff that happened with corn. And by the 319 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,399 Speaker 2: eighteenth and nineteenth century rice, which was introduced by the 320 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:58,679 Speaker 2: Spanish conquerors. Rice was cheap, it was more consistently available, 321 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,840 Speaker 2: and it was easier to store and grind than corn. 322 00:18:02,040 --> 00:18:07,280 Speaker 2: So rice vendors, for rice vendors, rice flower met speed 323 00:18:07,480 --> 00:18:10,280 Speaker 2: and uniformity and just fewer steps. You don't have to 324 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:13,200 Speaker 2: soak the corn and grind the fresh massa every day. 325 00:18:13,720 --> 00:18:18,840 Speaker 2: And also rice flowers makes boot boo sas wider, softer, 326 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 2: and a little bit more elastic, and so for people 327 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,719 Speaker 2: making boo says, it was easier because they could stretch 328 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 2: them without tearing right for stuffing. And so over time 329 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 2: we start seeing rice flour as a regional style, particularly 330 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:37,080 Speaker 2: in western and central and so that we don't see 331 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 2: anywhere else. 332 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:38,399 Speaker 3: Right, So in. 333 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 2: In what do you call it in Exco? You have 334 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 2: the rice corn and then the boot boo says with 335 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:49,399 Speaker 2: rice flour. I think I've had the rice ones because 336 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:51,280 Speaker 2: I remember, I don't think so I've only had the 337 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 2: corn one. 338 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:54,879 Speaker 1: M I feel like we need to do a pre 339 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,359 Speaker 1: massa outing. We need to do a boo boos outing 340 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: because actually, maybe I had the rice one. I assume 341 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 1: it was corn, yeah, because it wouldn't it have a 342 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 1: different flavor. 343 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:07,040 Speaker 2: A different text here. Yeah, both a different texture and 344 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 2: a different flavor. So yeah, I had arepas and pupusas 345 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:11,480 Speaker 2: for the first time when I moved to La. 346 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, and you know, paposas are filled before cooking, so 347 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 1: I love. I like when things are filled before cooking. 348 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:19,119 Speaker 1: Is then it all kind of like a banalla. You 349 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:22,080 Speaker 1: know it's a roto. Yeah, and you know you stuff 350 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:23,720 Speaker 1: it and then you fry it or bake it or 351 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 1: whatever because. 352 00:19:24,520 --> 00:19:26,080 Speaker 3: All the flavors melt together. 353 00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:29,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I like it. I like it. But that's why. Yeah, 354 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: like like a garbita or which is bread, But like 355 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:38,359 Speaker 1: I thought, I'm like, it's it's just a sandwich and 356 00:19:38,520 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 1: it's easier. 357 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,120 Speaker 3: Yeah, these are easier to eat also if it's all contained. 358 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:48,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, the way is other purpoosas in ondoasa because they're 359 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:49,359 Speaker 1: so close together. 360 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 3: Yeah there are. Yeah, definitely, definitely. 361 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 2: And one more thing about the pupoosas they're traditionally served 362 00:19:55,680 --> 00:20:00,520 Speaker 2: hot with corpa, which is like a fermented cabin slaw 363 00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 2: and a little and a light tomato salsa, and this 364 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:09,520 Speaker 2: balances the richness of the fried stuffed deliciousness. 365 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 3: When we come back, corn has been in the news. 366 00:20:15,160 --> 00:20:18,080 Speaker 2: We'll get into the new California mandate that requires folic 367 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:21,800 Speaker 2: acid in most corn massa products, So stay with us. 368 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: So corn is in the news. 369 00:20:31,440 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 3: Corn is in the news. Yeah, corn is hot. 370 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:40,439 Speaker 1: Topic, hot topic. I actually have been following this because 371 00:20:40,600 --> 00:20:42,520 Speaker 1: of GMOs and blah blah blah, and it's kind of 372 00:20:42,560 --> 00:20:45,520 Speaker 1: been a it's been the conversation has been around a while. 373 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:51,479 Speaker 1: But now there was a law that's going to be enforced, right. 374 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:55,600 Speaker 2: Yeah. As of January first of twenty twenty six, California 375 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,640 Speaker 2: introduced a new law required that most store bought corn 376 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:03,879 Speaker 2: yes in corn mass up products sold in California to 377 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 2: be fortified with folic acid. 378 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: So tragic. It's a synthetic form of envitament. 379 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,159 Speaker 3: Right, mm hmmm, mm hmm, yes, it is. 380 00:21:12,400 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 1: It is. 381 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 2: It's like meddling in this in this sink, in this 382 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 2: food that's been around forever. 383 00:21:18,200 --> 00:21:20,160 Speaker 1: But there was a whole chain of how it came 384 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: to be and why they started doing this because it 385 00:21:22,720 --> 00:21:27,640 Speaker 1: was it was in the nineteen fifties to prevent birth defects. 386 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:30,640 Speaker 1: It was like a public health measured and public health 387 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 1: visuals argued that, you know, they need to fortify the 388 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:36,960 Speaker 1: corn masa to help prevent birth defects. But now that's 389 00:21:37,119 --> 00:21:39,359 Speaker 1: not the case. So the fact that we're still doing 390 00:21:39,560 --> 00:21:43,879 Speaker 1: this to our corn it's limited to industrial right or 391 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 1: it is? 392 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,360 Speaker 3: It is like which is like the thing that's most 393 00:21:48,400 --> 00:21:50,120 Speaker 3: sold in store exactly? 394 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 1: This is like people, yeah, making a market dent. 395 00:21:55,400 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 2: Exactly, the artisanal dortietros and chefs they're making their you know, 396 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:04,280 Speaker 2: for their own you know, the restaurants, so they are 397 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:08,560 Speaker 2: exempt from this government mandate. And this just it alters 398 00:22:08,760 --> 00:22:12,959 Speaker 2: the flavor, it alters the character of the the theas 399 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:17,840 Speaker 2: that have been made for generations. It's tragic. It's tragic. 400 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:21,600 Speaker 2: It's tragic, and it really highlights this bigger story about 401 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:24,680 Speaker 2: corn and as the backbone of these food traditions across 402 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 2: the America, not just in Mexico Dorthias and the Males 403 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 2: and Gorlitas, but in Salvador withsas, in Venezuela and the APAs. 404 00:22:32,800 --> 00:22:36,160 Speaker 2: Like you know, all of these foods share deep indigenous 405 00:22:36,200 --> 00:22:37,359 Speaker 2: roots and are built on corn. 406 00:22:37,640 --> 00:22:41,800 Speaker 1: And it just it really evolves our the taste of 407 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:51,440 Speaker 1: our cultural food, the textures and the the health the healthiness, 408 00:22:51,880 --> 00:22:56,080 Speaker 1: I guess you know, the healthiness of the natural indigenous 409 00:22:56,200 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: way to eat. You know, we had an episode in 410 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:03,640 Speaker 1: I think season one about decolonizing the diet with with Claudia. 411 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:07,680 Speaker 1: With Claudia, so go check that episode out because she 412 00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:12,560 Speaker 1: talks about like, you know, the indigenous communities being vegetarian. 413 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 1: They weren't vegan because sometimes they would eat fowl and 414 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,960 Speaker 1: they would eat fish, but like they were highly vegetarian 415 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 1: and very very thin and thick and muscular. And why 416 00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:27,639 Speaker 1: again then here it comes the cheese and the milk 417 00:23:27,840 --> 00:23:31,520 Speaker 1: and the meat and the It's like, oh Lord and 418 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:34,159 Speaker 1: exchanged our genetic makeup. 419 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:34,639 Speaker 2: You know. 420 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: Now you know the rate of diabetes and Hispanic cultures 421 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:40,720 Speaker 1: is huge, The rate of heart disease is huge. I 422 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:45,159 Speaker 1: mean it really, it really has affected our community in 423 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:46,320 Speaker 1: the aspect of health. 424 00:23:46,520 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 2: Yes, one hundred percent. So this story, yes, it sounds 425 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,720 Speaker 2: maybe like a niche topic in California, but it really 426 00:23:53,840 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 2: tells a much, much bigger story of meddling. 427 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:03,359 Speaker 1: Now, all right, everybody, thank you for listening. 428 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 2: To our episode, oh mine, Thank you so much for listening. 429 00:24:10,920 --> 00:24:14,879 Speaker 2: And please let us know Venezuela and let us Colombia. 430 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:18,480 Speaker 1: Let us know Colombians and Venezuelans. 431 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:23,360 Speaker 3: If we got something wrong there, Please settle. 432 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:26,720 Speaker 1: The fight for US Mexicans over yeah, yeah. 433 00:24:26,560 --> 00:24:28,440 Speaker 3: The World Cup is coming. Settle the fight. 434 00:24:29,000 --> 00:24:31,520 Speaker 1: Settle the fight. Thanks for listening. 435 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:31,680 Speaker 5: You. 436 00:24:35,520 --> 00:24:38,639 Speaker 4: Hungry for History is a hyphen Media production in partnership 437 00:24:38,680 --> 00:24:41,879 Speaker 4: with Iheart's Michael Fura podcast network. For more of your 438 00:24:41,920 --> 00:24:45,719 Speaker 4: favorite shows, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever 439 00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:46,960 Speaker 4: you get your podcasts.