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Mexico and India.

Two countries separated by seven oceans and thousands of miles. But somehow the culture is strikingly similar starting with being brown people, chatty people, family people and people who love food. Not just love food but love the spiciest of them. There are so many parallels we can draw between the two that’ll keep surprising us. But food is the most visibly and tastefully similar between the two traditionally and historically rich communities.

Here are a few examples.

1. Mole – Chicken Curry

The strikingly similar looking dishes (with the exception of sesame seeds) are prepared also similarly and are as popular with people. After all, it’s chicken. 😛

2. Mexican rice recipes – Pulao

They look so similar don’t they! And they are! Mexican cuisine relies heavily on the use of tomatoes and corn and the end looks and tastes striking similar to India’s very own vegetable pulao.

3. Corn Tortilla – Makke di Roti

Fancy some tortilla with your sarso ka sag? 😛

Because there’s really no difference in the material or the style of preparation of the two.

4. Wheat Tortilla – Roti or Chappati

The wheat tortilla is the Mexican counterpart of our humble Chapati or Roti that is a part of our regular meal as well the Mexican regular meal except it’s mostly used to make Burritos which are basically bundles of tortilla with vegetable/chicken and cheese stuffed in the middle.

5. Salsas – Chutneys

The ingredients are vaguely similar and also the style of preparation is the same. They use the same old mortar and pestle we use to get our chutneys in the consistency we want and the Mexicans are very familiar with the spices that go with them too.

6. Totopos – Fried Papad

They’re basically fried corn papads to be eaten with a beautiful guacamole or a tomato bean salsa.

7. Charros – Shankarpali

The sweet and savoury snack we all enjoy especially when it’s Diwali time is surprising also one of Mexico’s favourite sweet snacks, both made of wheat and sugar, deep fried little squares of happiness.

8. Gorditas – Paranthas

If you see, they’re both two layers of flour up and down stuffed with vegetables or chicken (as you wish) eaten with spicy chutney/salsa. Oh boy, just thinking about is making me hungry! 😀

Oh boy, just thinking about is making me hungry! 😀

9. Tostadas – Masala Papad

The same same, but different different. Thre’s no feta cheese on our masala papad but some fancy dudes do sprinkle some on. 😛

10. Elote – Chatpata Corn

Mexican cuisine depends a lot on the presence of cheese and here too we Indians do eat bhutta with cheese when we feel a little fancy. It’s available on every street of India in winter and is Mexico’s favourite street food.

11. Huevos a la Mexicana – Anda Bhurji

You everyday morning fix when you screw up the omelette is a Mexican delicacy.

Surprised much? 😛

12. Jamoncillos / Dulce de leche – Pedas / Barfis

Milk sweets are a rage in Mexico as well as India. Also, they’re astoundingly similar in colour, shapes and taste.

13. Cocados – Nariyal Barfi

Coconut and sugar never came together as perfectly as in the nariyal barfi and who knew it had an international twin! Although a little more round. 😛

14. Alegrias – Rajgira Chikki / Laddoos

Razgira is native to India as well as Mexico and both the countries enjoy it in the most strikingly similar ways.

15. Palanquetas de cacachante – Singdana Chikki

Lonavla’s got some competition in the streets of Mejico. 😛

16. Arroz con leche – Rice Kheer

The quintessential payasam or rice kheer of India found a place in far away lands of Mexico and who knew that would happen!

17. Platana Pancle – Sweetened Banana Chips

Kerala’s famous banana chips are apparently as famous in Mexico as once someone eats one, it’s unstoppably delicious.

18. Tamales – Ila Ada / Ukadiche Modak

Steamed rice flour with sweet stuffing in the middle bundled up in a type of leaf. What could it be? A tamale or a Maharashtrian modak/ a Tamilian ila ada?

19. Molinillo – Filter Coffee

The only difference is in Mexico it’s hot chocolate that’s transferred from one vessel to another instead of coffee which is a much-loved condiment throughout the country, especially in Tamil Nadu.

20. Baked Beans – Rajma

Fancy some Mexican Rajma?

Both the countries love beans, be any kind. Especially the red kidney beans are a popular favourite for both people who are as sweet as spicy their food is. 🙂

Seven oceans away, but still so similar!

Cover Image Source 1 & 2