Of all the diverse dishes offered in Mexican cuisine, quesadilla holds a special place in our hearts. It is considered an authentic dish with roots in Mexico, although many cultures around the world have adopted it.
Quesadilla has elevated flavor possibilities across the world throughout its long history. Over time, the most commonly used recipes have been adapted to different styles. Most of us enjoy the quesadillas we see today in our restaurants, but we should also take a look and know its origin.
Quesadilla fits perfectly with other well-known Mexican ingredients at family dinners. Continue reading to discover the origin of this delicious, authentic dish.
How Did Quesadilla Originate?
Quesadilla found its permanent place in the kitchens of colonial Mexico. Many believe that quesadilla was brought to the West by Spain, but after delving a bit deeper into the topic, we can confidently say that this is not the case. The most authentic Mexican quesadilla originated in the southern-central regions of Mexico!
Let’s take a look at the components of an authentic quesadilla and our perspective on how different cultural influences merged into the now-famous dish loved by many around the world.
Tortilla
The tortilla, a flat circle of corn dough that was pre-cooked, would be heated and softened to the point where it could be folded. The word itself means "small cake." Corn tortillas are believed to have been first consumed by indigenous people before the Columbian era, as these native peoples were efficient farmers, especially in the art of growing and harvesting corn.
Eventually, flour tortillas became very common in quesadillas and other foods in Mexican cuisine. Flour tortillas were inspired by corn tortillas but made from wheat flour instead of corn. The popularity of corn tortillas was undeniable for a long time, but flour tortillas became more popular as wheat farming took up more of the agricultural space.
Cheese
The space formed by folding the tortilla is an incredibly valuable pocket that serves as a vessel for the other ingredients that fill it. The cheese you’ll find in quesadillas on our menu is similar to the cheese from Oaxaca, which was widely used as a filling for these traditional masa tortillas.
Oaxaca cheese is chewy, semi-hard, and white. Its texture is similar to mozzarella and melts in the same way. This cheese is made using a method called curd-string, introduced to the Mexicans by Dominican monks.
Meat
As early as the 1500s, Spain introduced local Mexican populations to pork and beef, gradually incorporating them into their diets. Before the conquistadors and other explorers, meat was not nearly as ubiquitous in the diets of Latin America as it is today. Although it wasn’t common in Mexican culture at the time, different meats eventually joined the Oaxaca cheese.
Other Quesadilla Ingredients
In addition to meat and cheese, other ingredients have found their way into the traditional quesadilla from a wide array of foods present in Mexican culinary culture, such as cooked beans, epazote, Chicharron (fried pork skin), various sauces, and fresh vegetables.
The Aztecs were already accustomed to using tortillas as "transportation" for a variety of different ingredients they gathered. Masters of agriculture in various climatic conditions in their region, from the jungle to the dry plains, they grew and consumed a lot of vegetables for the Aztec communities.
We know that the Aztecs grew and ate squash, which would be cooked and mashed into a dough-like texture. They would then take it, fill corn tortillas with it, and bake them in clay ovens, making a sweet dish.
Once filled, the Mexican quesadilla would be cooked on a smooth, flat grill called a comal until the Oaxaca cheese melted and the tortilla became slightly crispy.
Modern Quesadilla
When we look at each classic quesadilla of meat and cheese separately, we realize that it has always been a multicultural food, thanks to Native North Americans, Italian monks, Spanish explorers, and Mexican natives. Today, quesadillas have made their way to menus worldwide, especially in the southwestern United States.
Around the world, you will find numerous adaptations of the quesadilla that can be served for any meal. One popular option is the Breakfast Quesadilla, where a fried egg with avocado can be placed in the tortilla. The filling can also vary for people with different diets, perhaps with spiced black beans or tofu for vegetarians, while beef steak or seafood might be more appealing to others. Indeed, anything can fill the space that the folded tortilla provides when melted cheese is there to hold it all together!
Why is it "Quesadilla" and not "Quesodilla"?
In Spanish, the word “queso” translates to cheese, and "dilla" is a (contextually) slang term for "man" (dude) in English. So, our beloved quesadilla is, in fact, a "man-cheese"! In the real world, the suffix “illa” closely translates to “small thing,” so “a small thing with cheese” would be a more accurate (and logical) translation.
The reason there’s an “a” in Quesadilla instead of “o” is simply a linguistic habit that developed in spelling to fit the “dilla” ending typical in Mexican nouns.
To avoid confusion between the cheese used in quesadillas and the cheese you might dip chips into at Mexican restaurants – these are two different cheeses!
Queso dip, or cheese sauce, is often made with cheddar cheese and cream, giving it a very different taste and texture from traditional Oaxaca cheese or other cheeses that might be found in a quesadilla. Other recipes for Queso dip use cotija, which gives it a much sharper flavor.
Why is Quesadilla Important?
Whether you're at a restaurant or not, whether quesadilla is a regular on your plate or not, this Mexican cuisine favorite will always have a significant reputation in our culture. Many foods have found their way around the world, but we can agree that quesadilla is here to stay.
As time goes on, we might learn from the multicultural background of the quesadilla and create another delightful and tasty food by combining different authentic ingredients.
If you're looking for something to do at home that’s easy, adaptable to individual dietary needs, and will satisfy the whole family or all your friends, set up a Quesadilla bar for your next family dinner, dinner with friends, or barbecue. Try different cheeses, meats, mushrooms, vegetables, salsas, sauces, and dips to find your favorite combinations and bring your next favorite version of the quesadilla to the world.
If you don’t want to spend time in the kitchen, prepare your next fiesta with the help of Tortilla Casa catering! We can create a great, unforgettable experience and take your party plates to the next level. Contact us to plan your next event!
