Smokin’ Hot Chili con Pata

Last updated on November 8th, 2018 at 11:45 pm

Origin of Chili

The only thing that is true about the chili’s origin is that chili did not come from Mexico. According to Charles Ramsdell, a writer from San Antonio, chili cannot be found nowadays in Mexico except for those places that are usually visited by tourists. If indeed chili came from Mexico, it would still be seen anywhere its vicinity. For Mexicans with an Indian ancestry, they do tend to pass their culinary traditions from generation to generation.

There are many versions of stories about where does chili really come from, this is generally thought by some historians that the early versions of chili were really made by the poor people of San Antonio. They have more pepper compared to the pieces of meat they can afford. What they did so that their family can all eat was they stewed the meat and the peppers together.

Around the turn of time and century, chili joints became popular in Texas. By the 1920’s, they became too familiar with chili all around the West. When depression year came, almost all towns have chili parlors. Those chili joints were mostly just a small room with a counter and stools around it. To separate their kitchen from the dining area, they just hang a piece of blanket.

These chili joints meant the difference between staying alive and starvation. Chili back then was so cheap and the crackers were free. Chili was proven to save more lives back then compared to the amount of lives saved by the Red Cross.

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The Food Diary

I am pure-blooded Pinoy food enthusiast who happen to be an aficionado for good food and great experiences.