National Tortilla Chip Day
Enjoy some chip and dip on #NationalTortillaChipDay
24 February is set aside annually for the crunchy snack loved by millions across the world when National Tortilla Chip Day is celebrated.
The tortilla chip is most commonly served with salsa, chille con queso, guacamole, cheese or other dips. The chips are made from corn tortillas that have been cut into wedges and then fried. The corn tortillas consist of corn, vegetable oil, salt and water. Although they are typically made with yellow corn, they can also be made with white, blue or red corn.
Even though tortilla chips have always been considered a Mexican food – known as tostados – they were first mass-produced in Los Angeles in the late 1940s. It is said that the triangular tortilla chips were made popular by Rebecca Webb Carranza as a way to use the misshapen tortillas rejected by the automated tortilla manufacturing machine she and her husband used at their deli and tortilla factory.
Carranza realised that, once the discarded tortillas were cut into triangles and fried, they became a popular snack. She then sold them for a dime a bag at the El Zarape Tortilla Factory. In 1994, she received the Golden Tortilla Award for her contribution to the Mexican food industry.
Another popular dish made with tortilla chips is nachos. This dish was first created in about 1943, by Ignacio “Nacho” Anaya. Nachos are tortilla chips served with melted or shredded cheese, and often additional toppings like meat, salsa, refried beans, tomatoes, diced onions, lettuce, olives, jalapenos, guacamole and sour cream are added.
To celebrate today, get your favourite dip and enjoy some tortilla chips.
Use #NationalTortillaChipDay to post on social media.
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