New
Mexico Food History
20,000 years of hunting, gathering,
raising, growing, cooking and eating in The Land
of Enchantment
New
Mexico Cuisine
New Mexican cuisine began as a blend
of the styles of ancestral Mexicans of the region
(who made use of local plant variants, animal availability,
etc., and ergo are likely to have already had a
cooking style notably divergent from that of central
Mexico) and nearby Native Americans such as the
Navajo, Zuñi and Ute. This native style has
been strongly influenced by incoming American tastes
since the end of the Mexican-American War. Over
time, the style diverged increasingly from similar
styles in California and Texas (all of which, like
New Mexico, were formerly part of Mexico). This
divergence has accelerated in the last few decades,
perhaps as a protective response to the "invading"
popularity of heavily Americanized "Mexican"
food products and fast food.
First
New Mexicans
New Mexico's food history
begins with the hunting and gathering peoples who
settled from the north ???? and later starting growing
crops. World-famous paleoindian sites such as Clovis,
Folsom, Sandia Cave, Mimbres Valley, and Chaco Canyon,
to name a few, provided much of our understanding
of the first Americans and what they ate.
Nineteen sovereign nations of Apache,
Navajo and Pueblo peoples thrive within the modern
state of New Mexico. Each has its own food heritage
and traditions.
Hispanics
Hispanic people have been an important
part of New Mexico food heritage since the first
explorers and settlers arrived in the 16th century.
Anglos
& Others
English-speaking Americans (commonly
referred to as "Anglos") brought their
varied foodways and traditions starting in the 17th
century but particularly after the railroad link
was established. People originally from Africa and
Asia continue to contribute to the Land of Enchantment's
food scene.
Food
Heritage Sites
Due to the efforts of more and more
groups and individuals, the state's food heritage
sites are being recognized and are in various states
of preservation and public access. Other groups
have established museums and displays to educate
the public about the long history of food in New
Mexico.
Back to The
Food Museum Online Homepage
Back to Special
Exhibits
Back
to Global Food Heritage Project
