Tostilocos facts for kids
Close up of Tostilocos with Japanese peanuts
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| Course | Snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Mexico |
| Main ingredients | Tostitos, Chamoy, Lemon |
Tostilocos (sometimes called Dorilocos) are a super popular Mexican street food or snack. They are made with Tostitos tortilla chips topped with lots of yummy things! These toppings often include cueritos (pickled pork rinds), cucumber, jícama (a crunchy root vegetable), lime juice, Valentina hot sauce, chamoy (a sweet, sour, and spicy sauce), Tajín chili powder, salt, and "Japanese peanuts" (peanuts with a crunchy coating).
This fun snack first appeared in the late 1990s. Street vendors in Mexico came up with the idea. Today, you can find Tostilocos sold by street vendors, at sports stadiums, and in Mexican juice bars. They are popular in both Mexico and the Southwestern United States.
Contents
What Does Tostilocos Mean?
The name "Tostilocos" is a mix of two words. It comes from the brand name Tostitos-brand tortilla chips. The second part is the Spanish word loco, which means "crazy". So, the name basically means "crazy chips" or "crazy Tostitos"!
Where Did Tostilocos Come From?
The very first Tostilocos were created in Tijuana, Mexico. The original recipe had tortilla chips, cueritos, cucumber, jícama, rueditas (small, wheel-shaped fried snacks), Japanese peanuts, lime juice, chamoy, and hot sauce.
How to Make Tostilocos
Making Tostilocos is pretty simple and fun! Here's how it's usually done:
- First, a bag of tortilla chips is cut open lengthwise.
- Then, chamoy sauce, lemon juice, and sometimes Valentina hot sauce are poured inside.
- Next, cueritos (pickled pork rinds) are added.
- Most often, cucumber and jícama are the next toppings. But you can add any fruit you like!
- The final touches are usually Japanese peanuts and tamarind candies. The type of candy can change.
You eat this tasty snack with a fork, right out of the bag! This is the most common and original way to enjoy them. Sometimes, though, vendors might serve them in disposable plates or bowls.
Different Kinds of Tostilocos
Tostilocos is a "no rules" kind of dish. This means the ingredients can change a lot depending on what you like! Besides the toppings mentioned above, some vendors also add:
The base chips can also be different. While Tostitos brand chips are most common (that's where the name comes from!), any brand of tortilla chips works well. Some vendors even use other kinds of chips, like Fritos corn chips, Doritos (which are then called "Dorilocos"), or hot Cheetos.
There's even a fun twist on this Mexican dish from the Philippines! In that version, people sometimes add SPAM or hot dogs to their Tostilocos.
See also
In Spanish: Tostilocos para niños
