Tortas: Everything You Need to Know

Tortas are one of the many Mexican delicacies that have made their way into the United States. Mexican street food is fast becoming popular because they are delicious, fresh, and a diverse food choice.

You may be familiar with other staples, such as tacos, quesadillas, and nachos, some of the most popular Mexican foods that will tingle your taste buds. Tortas are a part of the bunch, and if you are yet to try any Mexican delicacy, they should be top of your list.

What are Tortas?

A Torta is a Mexican take on hamburgers. The sandwich contains beans, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, and meat. They come in different varieties of flavors, so you’ll never get tired of them.

Tortas have fluffy buns that are soft on the inside and somewhat crusty on the outside. They are defined by two types of buns: Bolillos and Teleras.

• Bolillos have long buns that look similar to soft baguettes. This type of Torta is made with bolillo rolls. Sourdough bolillos are called Bilotes and can have a sweet flavor.
• Teleras are flat with round buns that have score marks in the middle.

Tortas can be topped with numerous Mexican-style ingredients like refried beans, shredded cheese, fried meat, pork rinds, shredded beef, and mashed avocado. There is no written rule on what Tortas must be filled with; you can fill your Torta with almost anything you like.

A proper Torta can easily be mistaken for any good old sandwich, but a key difference is your choice of filling. What goes into a Torta is exclusively Mexican, with a slew of gooey sauces, tasty toppings, and a pair of soft crusty buns.

History of the Torta

Tortas have several tales that claim to be the true origin of this favorite Mexican dish. One potential history of the Torta claims that the Torta is of French origins. The city of Puebla was invaded in the nineteenth century by the French. After their liberation, they retained some French cuisines due to their president’s obsession with French food.

Some sources say Mexican bakers were inspired by the French baguette and then made smaller loaves, Bolilo and Telerea. These are now used in the making of Mexican sandwiches.

Another story makes us believe it began with the arrival of wheat in Mexico, commonly ascribed to an African conquistador, Juan Garrido, who later settled in Mexico City. Bread was a common food for conquistadors. When the Mexicans refused to give up corn for wheat, they were forced to work in the wheat haciendas. 

By the beginning of the seventeenth century, there were over thirteen bakeries in Mexico City. The Torta was developed around that time.

Either way, they have spread throughout the American continent and come in different variations. Latin American countries have their indigenous method of preparing these delightful Mexican sandwiches.

How to Make Tortas

Just like any other sandwich, Tortas are quite easy to make. You only need to prep your ingredients in advance, and the assembly will be as easy as pie.

First, you have to get your bread. Typically, a Bolilo or Telera roll will do, but any other soft and crusty bread will do just fine.

Ready your toppings, especially if you plan to include meat or vegetables; you wouldn’t want them cold while you prepare other ingredients. Shred your lettuce or cabbage and mix with cream if you aim for a coleslaw topping.

Slice your bread rolls along their length, and if you want extra crunchiness, you can toast them using a toaster or a sandwich press.

Begin to add your prepped fillings and toppings. Begin with cheese, if it is included, and spread an even layer on both halves of your rolls. If you also have refried beans, do the same. Now you can add the main fillings, which could be vegetables, meat, more cheese, or even all three.

Feel free to add even more toppings to your creation. Tomatoes, onions, shredded cabbages, and lettuce with a generous amount of cream won’t hurt. If you’re about that spice, a few slices of jalapeño peppers or cilantro will do the trick.

If you didn’t toast your bread before adding fillings, You should do so now. Also, if you don’t have a toaster, you can press it with a sandwich maker. A George Foreman grill or panini press will achieve similar results. 

If you are making a Torta Ahogada, now would be the time to dunk your almost ready Torta in a bowl of delicious red sauce, or you can spread a generous amount over your Torta with a dishing spoon.

When to Eat Tortas

Tortas can be incredibly big and messy, so it is recommended to save them for when you have the leisure and the freedom to go to town on those bad boys. Surely you can’t be thinking about getting a Torta in the middle of a workday at the office unless you brought an extra shirt.

They are ideal for dates and outings with friends and family, like carnivals and sporting events. Tortas can be eaten almost anywhere, as they are typically handheld foods and may not require a plate. However, some of the more expressive Tortas may require one to avoid making a mess of yourself.

Conclusion

If you’ve never had a proper Torta, you are one of the lucky ones because you are in line for a first experience that could be life-changing. So what are you waiting for? Find yourself the nearest available stand and grab yourself a mammoth-sized Torta.

If you are adventurous and decide to make yours, know that Tortas are versatile foods, and there is no established rule to make them, so remember to have fun. And when you’re done, you can show off the multicolored layers of your Torta by cutting it in half. Buen Provecho!