Chiles En Nogada
Regarded as a “patriotic” dish because of its green, white, and red presentation (the colors of the Mexican flag), Chiles En Nogada is a local delicacy that has to be part of your culinary adventures in Mexico. When translated in English, Chiles En Nogada is basically “chili and nogada”, nogada being a cream sauce (one of many kinds of cream sauce in Mexico). While the dish is simple in name, it is rich in history, symbolism, and flavor.
The “green” in the dish is presented by the poblano chilies, which are stuffed with picadillo, a mixture of ground meat, chopped fruits, and crushed spices. The “white” is the nogada, the signature walnut-based cream sauce from which the dish derives its name. And finally, the “red” is the sweet and tangy pomegranate seeds that complete the colors of the Mexican flag, and the flavors of this Mexican favorite.
This mouth-watering delight was first made for Don Agustin de Iturbide, the Mexican Army General who led Mexico in its bid for independence from Spain, whom eventually became the first President and then Emperor of Mexico. He is also credited as having designed the Mexican flag.