Chapter 28 Latin America Note: This chapter covers the geography, climate, culture, and cuisine of Mexico and South America. This presentation displays the text objective related to each of these topics, followed by information to help students achieve the objective.

Geography and Climate of Mexico In those sections of Mexico bordered by water, fish is an important part of the cuisine. The areas that border the United States are more suitable for raising cattle than crops. The geography and climate in the central plateau allow for profitable production of crops like corn and beans. Discuss: What bodies of water form Mexico’s coastline? What food is a staple in the areas just south of the U.S. border?

Geography and Climate of South America High mountains and dense jungles have created geographic isolation in South America, which has led to the development of regional food customs. Nearly every kind of climate can be found in some part of South America. Discuss: What prominent mountain range runs through South America? What types of foods are produced in South America’s tropical regions? What types of foods are produced in South America’s cool mountainous areas?

Mexican Culture The Aztecs, who originally inhabited Mexico, added corn, beans, and peppers to the cuisine. Spanish explorers influenced Mexican culture and introduced rice, wheat, beef, and oil. Discuss: What other foods did the Aztecs contribute to Mexican cuisine? What were the main cooking techniques used by the Aztecs? What other foods did the Spanish add to Mexican cuisine? What cooking technique became popular once oil was introduced into the cuisine?

South American Culture South America was originally inhabited by native tribes, including the Inca. Portuguese and Spanish explorers brought their food customs with them to South America. Africans brought to South America contributed such foods as bananas, yams, and coconuts. Discuss: What is an example of how Incan food customs have influenced South American cuisine? Where in South America is Portuguese influence especially apparent? Who brought Africans to South America and why?

Staple Ingredients in Mexican Cuisine Corn Beans Peppers Discuss: What are some examples of how tortillas are used in Mexican cuisine? What is a popular Mexican dish made with beans? How can the peppers used most often in cooking be grouped and how do Mexican cooks use each group?

Characteristic Foods of Mexico Discuss: How would you describe the Mexican vegetables mentioned here? What Mexican fruit is used to make guacamole? Mexican vegetables, such as huazontle, jicama, and chayotes, are often added to casseroles. Tropical fruits, including papayas, guavas, and pineapples, may be served in syrup as a light dessert.

Characteristic Foods of Mexico Mexican sauces, or moles, are served with many foods and form the basis of flavorful stews. Desserts such as flan were influenced by Spanish and Portuguese cooks. Popular beverages include chocolate drinks and coffee. Discuss: How is geography in some parts of Mexico a factor in the preparation of stews? What types of desserts did the Aztecs eat? How are chocolate drinks and coffee prepared in Mexico?

Mexican Regional Cuisine Wheat and beef are important in the cuisine of northern Mexico. Seafood is well liked among people living in coastal regions. Wild duck is common in eastern Mexico, whereas turkey is more common in the Yucatan. Bananas play a notable role in the cuisine of southern Mexico. Discuss: How do the tortillas eaten in northern Mexico differ from those consumed in other parts of the country? What is an example of how seafood is prepared in coastal regions of Mexico? Where is the Yucatan? How are banana leaves used in southern Mexico?

South American Cuisine Discuss: What is an example of Spanish, Portuguese, or African influence in South American cuisine? What is another name for manioc? South American cuisine combines influences of native tribes with those of the Spanish, Portuguese, and Africans. Corn, potatoes, and manioc are staple foods found throughout South America.

South American Dishes Venezuela’s national dish, hallacas, is cornmeal dough filled with other foods. Ajiaco is a Colombian soup made with potatoes, chicken, corn, and cassava. Many Ecuadorian dishes feature locally grown bananas. Potatoes, or papa, are a staple food of the Peruvian people and are used in such dishes as causa a la limena. Discuss: What is a traditional Venezuelan bread? How do staple foods differ regionally in Colombia? What is an example of how bananas are used in Ecuador? How is causa a la limena prepared?

South American Dishes Chileans eat a lot of seafood, and chupe de marisco is a popular scallop dish. Argentine metambre is made with spinach, hard-cooked eggs, carrots, onions, and flank steak. Brazil’s national dish, feijoada completa, is meat served with black beans and other accompaniments. Discuss: Why do Chileans eat little meat? How is metambre cooked? What are some of the accompaniments commonly served with feijoada completa?