The triangle shaped tortilla chip was popularized by Rebecca Webb Carranza as a way to make use of misshapen tortillas rejected from the automated tortilla manufacturing machine that she and her husband used at their Mexican delicatessen and tortilla factory in southwest Los Angeles. Carranza found that the discarded tortillas, cut into triangles and fried, were a popular snack, and she sold them for a dime a bag at the El Zarape Tortilla Factory. In 1994, Carranza received the Golden Tortilla award for her contribution to the Mexican food industry.
Five Fun Facts:
- The word tortilla comes from the Spanish “torta,” meaning “round cake.”
- Nachos are tortilla chips with cheese, and other toppings.
- Tortilla is unleavened flatbread made from white, yellow, blue or red corn or wheat.
- According to legend, a Mayan peasant invented tortilla for his hungry king.
- Tortilla chips and salsa were so popular in Texas, they were designated the official state snack in 2003.
Five Tortilla Recipes:
- Baked Tortilla Chips – Easy to make your own, healthier too!
- Chile-Lime Tortilla Chips– Baked chili and lime tortilla chips are a quick crunchy snack that won’t weigh you down.
- Mexican Black Bean Soup with Spiced Tortilla Chips– The spiced tortilla chips add an extra zing to a delicious soup.
- Tortilla Soup (Mexican Chicken Soup)– Jewish chicken soup with a Latin flavor. Who would have thought? A great twist on traditional soup, this also makes a filling weekday dinner.
- Barbecue Portobello Quesadillas – A snack or lunch this vegetarian quesadilla recipe is perfect anytime. Mmmm, portobello mushrooms.
Click for more Tortilla Recipes.
Nutritional information for one 13 oz bag of tortilla chips:
Calories: 1042
Fat: 50 g
Carbohydrates: 140 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 897 mg
Protein: 17 g
Sugars: 2 g
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