Silao, Guanajuato – April 9, 2025 — The 13th Traditional Cuisine Gathering, part of Guanajuato Sí Sabe!, began with a true explosion of flavors—challenging palates and winning hearts. Last weekend, the Sangre de Cristo Tourist Stop hosted the festival’s first preliminary event, where municipalities like Guanajuato, Silao, Celaya, León, Comonfort, Salamanca, and many others showcased culinary creations that blend tradition, creativity, and a deep love for cooking.
And yes, you read that right: pacharela made with tripe and xoconostle (a tangy cactus fruit). A bold and flavorful dish that proves there’s no fear of experimentation in Guanajuato—especially when ingredients have stories to tell. But that was only the beginning.
From Celaya came a coconut tamal served with a cajeta (goat’s milk caramel) glaze—a tropical delight with the soul of the Bajío region. Comonfort wowed with crispy wheat doraditas and pinole atole, while Juventino Rosas surprised everyone with a creamy milk fudge known as jamoncillo. Think you’ve tasted it all? Silao begs to differ with its beso de mezquite, a sweet that tastes like earth, roots, and tradition.
On the savory side, alongside the daring pacharela, other highlights included a ceremonial huitlacoche quesadilla with pipián and capón de dedo (yes, all in one dish), Cortázar’s red mole, and creative beer-infused empanadas filled with cactus, straight from the state capital.
More surprises? Absolutely. León brought dried chiles stuffed with beans and tomatillo; Salamanca prepared its countryside-style pajaritos de milpa; Juventino Rosas lit up the firepit for a cabrito barbacoa cooked in agave leaves; and Apaseo el Grande ended with a showstopper: Greek-style roasted cabrito.
This first stage was just the warm-up. Preliminaries will continue on April 13 in Yuriria, May 4 in Pénjamo, and May 18 in Mineral de Pozos. The grand finale will take place on May 31 at Distrito León MX, with the awards ceremony set for June 1.
So, if you love food with history, countryside flavor, and a touch of grandma’s cooking—mark your calendar and bring your appetite.
Because in Guanajuato, we truly know good food!
