Sofía Natalia Santiago López

Traditional chef from Santiago Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Flor de calabaza., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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Un almuerzo., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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The atole de guaya (huaya fruit drink) is traditional in the area, made from pumpkin flower or guaya fruit flower—as this flower is known in the southern Mexico region of the state of Oaxaca.

Atole de guayas. (2020) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Southern Mexico drink

The atole de guayas (huaya fruit drink) is ready to be served.

Doña Sofía echando tortilla. (2020) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Mrs. Sofia tossing a tortilla.

With her indispensable metate (mealing stone), Doña Sofia prepared masa dough for the tortillas.

Tortilla. (2020) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Tortilla

The taste of the tortillas recently lowered from the wood-burning comal (griddle) is delicious and unmistakable.

Sin descanso., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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Un almuerzo., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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A full lunch at the Casa de Humo (Smoke House) is served with guaya atole (huaya fruit drink), machucadas (shredded beef with egg), tasajo (dried beef), fried eggs and seeds (roasted pumpkin seeds).

Chicharrón. (2020) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Chicharrón (pork crackling)

Freshly fried, we can see this piece of pork skin turned into chicharrón (pork crackling).

Personajes., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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El mercado., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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Chiles, granos, semillas., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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Todo fresco., Jesús Canseco, 2020, From the collection of: Secretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca
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The market in Santiago Juxtlahuaca is full of colors, smells, flavors and life.

La mesa puesta. (2020) by Jesús CansecoSecretaría de las Culturas y Artes de Oaxaca

Casa de Humo (Smoke House)

In her dining room, Doña Sofia only employs women, because for her it was a great effort to become independent from a failed marriage. During the 2020 pandemic, she gave permanent employment to at least 6 women, despite restrictions on opening.

Did you like the photos? Don't miss the video of Doña Sofia preparing the atole de guaya (huaya fruit drink) and some exquisite machucadas (shredded beef with egg).

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