Panuchos: A Taste of History and Culture of Yucatan
Among the delicacies of traditional Mexican cuisine are the panuchos of Yucatan, small “puffed” corn tortillas filled with a bean-based stew and fried in oil or lard.
These small wonders of Yucatecan foods originate in Merida, Yucatan.
There is a legend about its origin, which tells that this recipe was invented by Don Hucho, owner of a food stall for travelers from the Camino Real, around the middle of the 19th century.
At that time, Don Hucho prepared bread with beans and boiled eggs. Travelers called it “Don Hucho’s bread.”
The bread was changed to a corn tortilla as time passed, and the dish became famous under panuchos.
Its name comes from a play on words between the word “Pan” and its creator Don Hucho.
Yucatan is a state full of exceptional gastronomy, and it is so unique that the people or tourists who try it are compelled to come back in the future or not even leave.
Panuchos are a dish par excellence in the gastronomy of the Yucatan Peninsula.
What are Panuchos?
If you are still wondering what Panuchos are, this delicious dish is made with fried corn tortillas.
Once the tortilla is fried, you put a bed of lettuce, turkey, or whatever you want to accompany it, slices of tomato, shredded carrot, avocado, and pickled onion.
You can accompany it with a bit of lemon and a spicy sauce made from fresh habanero to add flavor.
The Panucho history
Again, popular history tells of a man who lived in this part of Merida, whom many knew by the nickname of “Don Hucho.”
This man had a food stand where he offered food for travelers going or coming to Campeche on the “Camino Real” road in the mid-nineteenth century.
One day, Don Hucho came up with the idea of preparing a snack consisting of bread with strained beans and boiled eggs.
People and travelers who passed by and ate at his stand began to call it “Don Hucho’s bread.”
This became more popular, and as time went by, the bread was replaced by corn tortilla (thanks, Don Hucho) until the dish quickly became popular because of its delicious flavor and the play on words between bread (pan) and Don Hucho they began to call it “Panucho” and that’s how it has remained until today.
You can accompany them with an ice-cold Coca-Cola (Mexicans are very fond of this soft drink) or delicious horchata water, hibiscus, pitahaya, orange, or any flavor juice you like.
Without a doubt, panuchos have become a traditional food, and it is almost mandatory to eat them if you come to the Yucatan peninsula. Buen provecho!
