Book dossier

Tortillas

by Paula E. Morton

For centuries tortillas have been a staple of the Mexican diet, but today it crosses cultures and borders as a part of an international network of people, customs, and culinary traditions. A history of the tortilla from its roots in ancient Mesoamerica to the cross-cultural global tortilla; from the Mexican woman rolling the mano over the metate to grind corn to the enormous wheat tortillas made in northern Mexico to creations like the stuffed burrito. This first study of the tortilla's history, symbolism, and impact shows how the tortilla changed our understanding of home cooking, industrialized food, healthy cuisine, and the people who live across the border.