Pan de cazón facts for kids
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Type | Casserole |
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Place of origin | Mexico |
Region or state | Campeche |
Main ingredients | Tortillas, shark |
Ingredients generally used | Black beans, tomato sauce |
Pan de cazón is a tasty casserole dish from Mexican cuisine. Its name means "bread of small shark" in Spanish. It's made in layers, a bit like lasagna, using tortillas, shark meat, black beans, and a spicy tomato sauce often made with habanero peppers. This dish is a special food from the state of Campeche, Mexico.
Contents
What is Pan de Cazón?
Pan de cazón is a traditional meal that brings together different flavors and textures. It's built with layers of soft tortillas, tender shark meat, and a rich sauce. The black beans add a creamy texture and a deep flavor. The tomato sauce, often with a kick from habanero peppers, ties all the ingredients together.
Where Does it Come From?
This unique dish is most famous in the Mexican state of Campeche. It's a popular food there, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. The coastal location of Campeche means fresh seafood, like shark, is easy to find. This makes shark a common ingredient in many local dishes.
How is Pan de Cazón Made?
Making Pan de cazón usually starts with preparing the shark meat. The shark, often a type called blacktip shark in Campeche or dogfish shark in Yucatan, is boiled in seasoned water until it's cooked. After boiling, the meat is carefully shredded into small pieces.
Next, the dish is assembled in layers. First, a tortilla is placed down. Then, a layer of shredded shark meat is added, followed by black beans and the spiced tomato sauce. These layers are repeated, building up the casserole. Finally, the whole dish is often baked or heated until everything is warm and the flavors have blended together.
Different Ways to Make It
While shark is the traditional main ingredient, sometimes Pan de cazón can be made with other types of fish. This allows people to enjoy the same layered style of dish, even if shark isn't available or preferred. The basic idea of tortillas, beans, and sauce remains the same, but the type of fish can change.