Sope

A sope, also known as a picadita, is a cherished traditional Mexican dish originating from central and southern Mexico. Imagine a thick, small tortilla topped with an array of delicious ingredients such as refried beans, cheese, lettuce, onions, various sauces, and sour cream. Sopes are about the size of your fist and have a soft, pliable texture, achieved by frying until the exterior is perfectly crisp.

The appearance and composition of sopes can vary based on the region within Mexico. For instance, sopes de pollo (chicken) and sopes de res (beef) are particularly popular. In some areas, people forgo the vegetables in favor of heartier ingredients like black beans, salsa, and either longaniza or chorizo.

Several dishes are akin to sopes. Huaraches, for example, are larger and oblong-shaped masa bases adorned with various toppings. Tlacoyos are oval-shaped and stuffed with beans or cheese. Garnachas feature small corn tortillas loaded with meat, cheese, and salsa. Memelas are corn masa cakes topped with beans, salsa, and other ingredients. Chalupas are little corn cups filled with shredded meat, sauces, and toppings. Salbutes and panuchos are Yucatecan variations, often topped with turkey, avocado, and pickled onions.

These dishes epitomize the rich diversity of Mexican cuisine, with each region imparting its unique touch to the classic sope recipe.