Your Hidalgo Travel Guide to Hidalgan Food & Drinks

The small area of Hidalgo offers visitorsa variety of traditional Hidalgo food—delicious dishes, sweets and typical drinks all —influenced by the native people of Hidalgo.  Whether traditional recipes or sophisticated culinary techniques, the following are some wonderful Hidalgo meal options to try as you tour the birthplace of Mexican soccer. 

Barbecue

In Pachuca, Actopan, Tulancingo and Mineral de Reforma you will become accustomed to the elaborately barbecued mutton, covered with maguey and cooked inside a “hoyo,” an authentic underground oven.  The delicious juice that tenderizes the meat is used as a consommé. 

Mixtotes

Succulent chicken, rabbit or mutton is steamed in maguey for delicious Hidalgo meat dishes.  Mixtotes are a typical dish in Real del Monte, Actopan, Apán and Mineral de la Reforma. 

Escamoles

Escamoles are the larvae of a small red ant that lays eggs from February to May.  This is one the most coveted dishes in the country and is of pre-Hispanic origin.  The eggs have a rich flavor and are 96% protein.  The escamoles look similar to grains of rice in size and shape.  They are fried in butter or made into fritters/cakes.  Escamoles can be found in Tepeapulco, Santiago de Anaya and Epazoyucan.

Zacahuil

Zacahuil a very large tamale made with pork or turkey and steamed in banana leaves, is another Hidalgo meat dish.  This delight is typical of the huasteca region, in towns like Huejutla, Molango, Calnali and Atlapexco

Chinicuiles and Meocuiles

Another typical Hidalgo meal is Chinicuiles, an exotic but authentic dish of pre-Hispanic origin.  The chinicuiles are red worms extracted from the maguey plant.  They are found at the root or in the thick leaves of the old plants by cutting a cross-section to find the “ball” of worms.  The meocuiles are white worms that are found in pulqueros maguey plants, near the base of the lower leaves.

The extraction of the worms requires skill.  A hook is made with the edge of a leaf (leaving the thorn on the end) that is used to grab the head of the worm.  The most common preparation is fried with butter but they are also made into tacos using different sauces or guacamole. 

Some places to find these red or white worms include: Singuilucan, Santiago de Anaya, Tasquillo, Tepeapulco and Mineral de la Reforma.

Pastes

In the 19th century, the English settled in Real del Monte and other areas of Hidalgo.  In addition to soccer, the English contributed this traditional dish.  Originally, when the English exploited the mines, pastes were made for lunch because they were easy to carry.  Over time, this European food became a popular Hidalgo dish. 

Pastes are rolls, sometimes puffed pastry, traditionally stuffed with meat and potato.  In addition to Real del Monte, this dish can be found in Mineral del Monte and Pachuca.

Hidalgan Candy

In order to indulge the palate after a rich meal, a variety of quality candies and Hidalgo desserts made by Hidalgan artists are highly recommended. 

Some of most traditional, found on the streets and in businesses all over the state are:  dulce de leche, candied orange,  muéganos de Huasca, pastries made with brown cane sugar and nuts, coconut candies, sweet potato with brown cane sugar and a variety of candied fruits. Whatever your preference, there are not desserts better than Hidalgo desserts!   

Traditional drinks

Like the majority of central Mexico, the most representative Hidalgo drinks are: pulque (alcoholic drink made from the fermented juice of the maguey), atole (corn-starch based hot drink), aguardiente de caña (cane alcohol), the mead of fermented maguey and various fruit liqueurs.

Nevertheless, for daily or ritual use, others Hidalgo drinks are even more traditional.  Some of these include: acachul, made with the fruit of the same name, wild berries and alcohol, which in the case of Hidalgo, is embellished with flavorful wines.  Achocote is a drink made with piloncillo (brown cane sugar) and maize.  Mead is the extracted sap of the maguey.  In the case of this state, it is customary to add chili.  Carnavalito is a popular drink throughout the country.  It is a cocktail made of tequila, orange juice and cinnamon.

Whoever visits the state of Hidalgo will have the opportunity to sample many different types of Hidalgan food.  Whether on the street or in restaurants, bars or cantinas, the choices for your Hidalgo meals and drinks are endless.