 |
A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or
wheat
tortilla folded or rolled around a filling.
A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, chicken, seafood,
vegetables and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. |
|
Left: Assorted tacos. |
A taco is generally eaten without utensils
and is often accompanied by garnishes such as
salsa,
cilantro, tomatoes, onions and lettuce. As an accompaniment
to tacos, many taco stands will also serve whole or sliced red radishes, lime
slices, salt, pickled or grilled chillies (hot peppers), and occasionally
cucumber slices.
The Online Etymological Dictionary defines taco as a
"tortilla filled with spiced meat" and describes its etymology as derived from
Mexican Spanish, "light lunch," literally, "plug, wadding."
The taco predates the arrival of Europeans in Mexico. There
is anthropological evidence that the indigenous people living in the lake region
of the Valley of Mexico traditionally ate tacos filled with small fish.
