Not the Country, but the fruit which is commonly misspelled by everybody outside of New Mexico. Who simply think it of it as some a tomato based stew like dish with meat and beans. The name is derived from
Nahuatl. The fruit and the name were borrowed by the Spanish Conquistadores when they settled in Mexico. Conquistadores later brought it to New Mexico where it is still grown to this day, and is recognized as an intuition from Hatch to
Espanola. In New Mexico chile comes in red or green.
Over the years "Red or green?" has become the unofficial state question, a question used to determine if somebody prefers red chile or
green chile. Waiters often confuse tourists with this question, and an explanation is usually necessary. For those unsure which delicious version to choose, there is another popular option is known as “Christmas”. Christmas means that a dish can contain both of the
tantalizing varieties.
It is the backbone of
New Mexican food which is an assortment of wonderful dishes that have been bastardized by outsiders and even some local
gringos with the name “Southwestern food”. So remember its chile not "chili", Bill
Richardson has already fucked up our state almost beyond repair, we don’t need for public perception of our favorite food be ruined as well.
Customer: “I’ll have the
shredded beef burrito
smothered with chile and cheese, and a
sopapilla on the side.”
Waitress: “Red or green?”
Customer: “Christmas!”
