What is Gordita?

 

 

In Spanish, Gordita literally means, “little fat one” and is often used as a term of endearment. It is flat bread made from corn flour, originally from Mexico. They are relatively thick, usually about the size of a hand, and can be split open and filled with various fillings – it is usually cheese, beans or meat and stews. It can also be a combination or both, usually with a chili tang.

 

As with any regional cuisine, the size, method of making and cooking techniques of the gordita differ from region to region in Mexico. The flour usually used is masa harina, which is made from corn and has a distinctive flavor due to the method used to make it. The corn is dried, then cooked in water with slaked lime, then dried again and ground up into very fine powder, which mixes easily with water. Now Frida Tacos included gorditas in their menu and they are just delicious – get down and give them a try!

 

There are various recipes for making the gordita, but they all include masa harina and water. Some people add baking powder; others put garlic powder or cheese in for taste. The gordita is first browned on a hot griddle and then deep-fried, giving it a soft center and crispy outside. They are relatively thick, almost like a fat corn tortilla, which allows for them to be split like a pita bread and filled.

 

Frida Tacos is located at 36 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena and near the Pasadena City College at 1731 E. Colorado Blvd. East Pasadena.