CUISINE
12 Must-Taste
Dishes in Santa Fe
The City Different is blessed with food traditions as old as the cultures that settled here so long ago—the First Peoples, the Spaniards, nomadic traders, ranchers, cowboys, and homesteaders. Today, with dozens of chefs from around the world making Santa Fe their home, our food culture is further enhanced in unexpected, wonderful ways. Our traditional New Mexico cuisine is characterized by the smoky earthiness of blue corn tortillas and pinto beans, as well as red and green chile and you must taste it!
Biscochito
The history of the fine anise, cinnamon, and sugar shortbread-like cookie we call a biscochito—or bizcochito— dates back to the arrival of the Spanish colonists in the 16th century, after which time it was lovingly influenced by Indigenous cultures. Now it boasts the honor of being the official state cookie as of 1989. Come holiday season, you’ll see a preponderance at parties and events.
Breakfast Burrito
Some say the Breakfast Burrito was born in Santa Fe, created by the owners of Tia Sophia’s restaurant, delivering Mexican comfort food since 1975! The combination of soft, savory scrambled egg, melted cheese, hash browns or rough-cut roasted potatoes, along with your choice of bacon, sausage, or chorizo, pinto or black beans, red, green, or Christmas—all wrapped in a fluffy warm tortilla—can be handheld or smothered.
Calabacitas
The Spanish word for squash is Calabacitas, but that’s not the only ingredient in this comfort food—corn and beans are paramount as well, making the dish a Three Sisters (crops planted in a companion fashion by various Indigenous people) extravaganza. Cooked down with chopped onions and sometimes chicken broth, cheese, and green chile, you may never try the same combo twice, but will always love the flavor and texture, a cross between brothy and caramelized.
Carne Adovada
Is it enough to say that Carne (meaning meat in Spanish) and Adovada (meaning marinate) is a New Mexican pork stew simmered in a red chilebased sauce packed with spices? This combo can stand alone, be stuffed into a burrito, eaten with corn tortillas, or served over beans and rice. You won’t forget the tender chunks of marinated pork that melt in your mouth.
Chile Relleno
The most-sought-after authentic Chile Relleno (meaning stuffed in Spanish) is a large roasted poblano or Anaheim pepper stuffed with cheese and often other delights, dipped in a fluffy egg batter and fried until golden brown. It’s generally a main dish and can be served with red and/or green and rice. A taste sensation!