Nachos
Nachos in their simplest form are usually tortilla chips covered in melted cheese. First created in 1943 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya, Anaya's original nachos consisted of fried tortilla chips covered with melted cheese and jalapeño peppers.
Variations
A traditional variation consists of a quartered tostada topped with a layer of refried beans and/or various meats and a layer of shredded cheese.
Processed cheese is often used in place of freshly shredded cheese in institutional or large-scale production settings, such as schools, movie theaters, sports venues, and convenience stores, or wherever using freshly grated cheese may be logistically prohibitive. Such processed cheese is referred to informally in the United States as "nacho cheese", though the term nacho cheese does not denote any particular variety of cheese.
Common additional toppings include:
- Ground beef or chicken
- Jalapeño pepper slices
- Other spicey or mild peppers
- Onions
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Refried beans
- Sour cream
In Memphis, Tennessee, barbecue nachos are served in most barbecue restaurants, and also at sporting events. Generous portions of barbecued pork shoulder are placed atop tortilla chips, then covered with melted cheese, barbecue sauce, and sliced jalapeno peppers.
International Day of the Nacho and the International Nacho Festival
The International Day of the Nacho is celebrated on October 19th with the International Nacho Festival held at Piedras Negras, Coahuila.
Notes
- The Spanish nickname Nacho is a shortened form of the name Ignacio.
- A similar dish that involves tortilla chips and cheese is found in Tex-Mex restaurants. Small bowls of chili con queso and/or, more commonly, salsa, are served with baskets of warm tortilla chips as appetizers.
See also
References
- Denver Post reference to International Day of the Nacho, October 21.
- Oxford English Dictionary reference to International Day of the Nacho, October 21.
- Dunne, Mike. (January 28 2004). "One spicy tale: 'Macho Nachos'. Sacramento Bee, p. F1.