Once considered to be too remote and too difficult to reach from other parts of Mexico, the Yucatecan peninsula with its mountainous terrain and poor roads was very much isolated from other parts of the country. However its ports provided commercial and cultural contacts with Europe, most notably France as well as the ports of New Orleans and Cuba. The Yucatecans were influenced by many facets of these cultures, such as dress, architecture and cuisine, which explains why there is a lot of European flare in its gastronomy.
Here are a few famous examples of their cuisine.
Pollo Pibil
This chicken dish is one of the most beloved of the area. It is marinated in achiote (annatto) paste, sour orange juice, peppercorns, garlic, cumin, salt, and then wrapped in banana leaves. It was then originally baked in roasting pits known as "pibs". Today, it is more likely to be cooked in a steam bath in a large covered pot, or baked in an oven. This dish can also be made with pork (cochinita pibil).
Panuchos & Salbutes
Salbutes and panuchos are popular appetizers or snacks served in the Yucatan. Salbutes are small, thick tortillas, deep-fried, and then topped with shredded meat and vegetables. Panuchas are similar but are also topped with beans. Habanero chiles are usually added to both salbutes and panuchos.
Sopa de Lima (Yucatan Lime Soup)
A delicious soup made with shredded chicken, bits of fried tortilla, and lime juice and rich chicken broth. This delicious soup can then garnished with chopped avocado, cilantro and green onion.
Poc Chuc
Tender slices of pork marinated in sour orange juice, achiote paste, salt and peppercorns. It is then served topped by a sweet and sour onion topping.
Papadzules
A delicious dish of warmed tortillas stuffed with hard-boiled eggs and topped with a pumpkin seed sauce.
Frijol con Puerco
Yucatecan pork and beans made with chunks of pork cooked with black beans and served a roasted tomato sauce and garnished with radish, fresh cilantro and onion. This stew like dish is usually served with rice.
Pavo en Relleno Negro
This is turkey stewed with a black paste made from roasted chiles, a local version of the mole de guajalote found throughout Mexico. The meat soaked in the black soup is also served in tacos, sandwiches and even in panuchos or salbutes.
Huevos Motulenos (Eggs Motul-Style)
This hearty breakfast consists of a corn tortillas, covered with refried beans and a fried egg and then covered with tomato sauce, peas, chopped ham and shredded cheese. This declicious dish is usually served with some fried banana slices.
Michelada
The spicy beverage is a usually a dark Mexican beer served with lime and seasonings of lime, coarse salt, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, Tabasco sauce, black pepper, and Maggi seasoning . Another option is a CHELADA, which is a Michelada without the Tabasco, soy, pepper and other seasonings. It's just beer, lemon and salt.
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