A question about Mexican cuisine, particularly vegetables?!
I know that foreign foods served in America are tailored to American tastes and often do not reflect the original dish. (I know that cheddar cheese and sour cream don't exist in real Mexican cuisine) But I also I know that rice and beans are common and nutritious staples in poorer parts of the world and it would make sense that they would be eaten often. So;
Are rice and beans common side dishes in Mexico?
Is it simply that the Mexican style of meals doesn't match up to our main course + side dish meals of meat + vegetable + starch?
I know there are a lot of fruits that come from Mexico but what sorts of vegetables are commonly eaten in Mexico, and how are they prepared? I have no idea about this except to have seen tomatillos and nopales in the grocery store.
I'm not ignorant or stupid (though typing this out makes me feel so..), I just plain old don't know, and don't even begin to want to embarrass myself by walking up to a random Hispanic person and asking "hey are you from Mexico? tell me about your vegetables!".
Answers:
For some reason mexican restaurants only really serve rice and beans as their side dish. But in truth rice and beans are usually not served together. Rice is served with chiles rellenos, flautas etc. Beans are traditionally a breakfast in the poorer parts. Some beans and fresh toasted chile with freshly made tortillas. Anyway There are many other side dishes including vegetables. Calabazas(mexican squash) sauteed with onions and tomatoes are my fav. Most times vegetables are incorporated into foods such as in a chicken soup. most vegetables used are onions, tomatoes, avocados, chiles squash, cabbage.
Vegetables are not really eaten on their own in mexican culture. Usually vegetables are mixed in with dishes. example:
chicken soup (caldo de pollo) - has carrots, potatoes, celery
Rice - mexican rice w/ chickpeas and/or peas/carrots
However one type called chayote which is kind of like a potatoe because of its root like growth but technically is a fruit because has a seed. It is steamed and eaten by itself or with butter and sometimes thrown in chicken soup.
I'm Mexican
Rice and beans when eaten together provide the protein needed and there's actually a term for it I forget, but it provides them with enough protein if they cannot afford to buy meat (more expensive).
I think they eat a lot of tomatoes and avocadoes and corn in terms of veggies.
Don't forget the tomato and tomatillo salsas and the cabbage salads and the guacamole!
Chef
Good question. Maybe we could atach spycams to some and observe their culinary habits.
There are a few things that you are mistaken about and a few things you have right. First of all cheese (either be cheddar, panela, oaxaca, de creama etc) do exist and are major parts of Mexican dishes; example being quesadillas, and chili rellenos. Those are authentic dishes and have a cheese base to them. As well many mexican dishes do use sour cream, just a lighter version than ours, but more and more I find sour cream being asked for in Mexico.
Rice and Beans are extremely common in Mexico, but not so much as a side dish but rather as the main course of the meal. You are right that vegetables are more common here in the US because here in the US we have more of a variety then in Mexico. I go to the fresh fruit markets EVERY Sunday in mexico and some of the vegetables that I see and buy would be, red peas, broccoli, mustard greens, polk salad, spinach (spinach is more common in Mexico than in the US), beets, corn, carrots, even some egg plant. I never come home though without tomatoes, chilies, onion, cilantro, oregano, potatoes, and black beans.
I do not think this is being stupid, just curiosity. Maybe one day if you ever get the chance you should go to Mexico and check out some of their markets, you would be surprised by what you find food wise.
I have spent my last 4 years in Mexico!