Latin America Chapter 28 Vocabulary Latin America Aztecs

Latin America Chapter 28

Vocabulary • Latin America • Aztecs • Conquistador • Inca • Gaucho

Food Descriptions-Mexico • Tortilla • Jicama • Enchiladas • Nopole • Tostadas • Chayotes • Quesadillas • Guacamole • Burritos • Moles • Tacos • Flan • Tamales • Café con leche • Frijoles refritos • Plantains • Chilies • Paella • Hauzontle • Huevos rancheros • Pan dulce

Food Descriptions-South America • Manioc (cassava) • Porotos Granados • Arepa • Pastel de chocio • Bollos pelones • Chupe de marisco • Hallaas • Chimichurri • Ajiaco • Empanadas • Papa • Carbonada criolla • Aji • Humitas • Causa a la limena • Dende oil • Cuy • Vatapa • Anticuchos • Feijoada completa • Chupe • Abara • Ceviche • Cuscuz

Geography, Climate and Agriculture

Mexico • Geography: Land of deserts, mountains, grasslands, rainforest and a vast coastline. Much is mountains with valleys separating the different regions. • The Climate is 50% arid/semiarid and 50% wet/humid.

Agriculture Half are farmers but farming is difficult because of poor soil. • Crop yields are poor because farmers can’t afford modern machinery or fertilizer. • Corn is Mexico’s major crop. • Other crops are sugarcane, coffee, tomatoes, green peppers, peas, melons, citrus fruits, strawberries, and cacao beans. • Wheat is grown and cattle graze in the northern part. • Coastal areas provide seafood, shrimp sardine, tuna, turtles and mackerel. •

South American Countries • Geography is varied with mountains, grasslands, jungles, forests, plateaus and deserts that divide the continent. • The Climate is dry in the deserts, rain in the tropical regions and snow and wind in the mountains. Every type of climate in South America. • Agriculture includes corn, banana, plantain, potatoes, sugarcane, coffee, fish/shellfish, cattle and sheep

Culture, History, Religion and Holidays

Mexico • Culture: The Spanish controlled Mexico until the 19 th century and so greatly influence their culture. Living quarters are simple and families are closeknit. • In History the Aztecs were the original inhabitants and they had a very advanced civilization for their time in history. • Their Religion is Roman Catholic. • Holidays enjoyed are the Feast of Epiphany, Christmas, Candlemas Day and the Day of the Dead.

South America Countries • Culture: Influenced by the Inca empires. Today they are in a rapid population growth, along with economic and technological progress. Their cities appear modern with native churches from the early civilizations of the Incas and the Spanish. • In History the Inca or Native South Americans built a large empire in the Andes Mountains. A very advanced civilization with roads, bridges and irrigation system for farmland. When Spanish explorers came the Incan empire was unable to survive however their influence remained.

Religion and Holidays • Their Religion is Christian/Roman Catholic. • Holidays include a blend of Christian celebrations and other beliefs. Many holidays/celebrations will last for several days and includes costumes, parades, dances and food vendors. • “Carnival” is the most elaborate festival; similar to Mardi Gras. It is held in the Lenten season, 6 days before Ash Wednesday.

Cuisine

Mexico • Influenced by Aztecs and Spanish. Aztecs contributed chocolate, vanilla, corn, peppers, peanuts, tomatoes, avocados, squash, beans, sweet potatoes, pineapple and papayas. Spanish added oil wine, cinnamon, cloves, rice, wheat, peaches, apricots, beef, and chicken. • Frying is important part to food preparation • Seafood is common along the coast and wheat is used in the farmlands. • The Emperor Maximillian introduced Austrian, French and Italian dishes.

South American Countries • Influenced by Spanish, Portuguese & Africans. • The regional differences are because of the geography and climate of the specific regions.

South American Countries • Venezuela • Chili • Colombia • Argentina • Ecuador • Brazil • Peru

Meals & Meal Time Customs

Mexico • Desayuno huge. – breakfast that is substantial but not • Comida – the main meal, served around 1 -3 pm followed by a Siesta (rest period) • Merienda • Cena • – a light snack around 5 -6 pm – supper, supper served between 8 -10 pm South America Countries: No Meal Customs Specified

Cooking Methods & Equipment

Mexico • Frying/Deep Frying – tostadas & quesadillas • Steaming – tamales

South American Countries • Frying/Deep Frying – Bollos pelones, plantains • Steaming • Roasting – rice, humitas, cuscuz – cuy (guinea pig)

Equipment--Mexico • Comal-lightly greased griddle on which a tortilla is made. • Molinillo-a tool used to beat chocolate into a foam before serving; similar to hot chocolate. • No equipment listed for South America.

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