Definition of tortilla

The word "tortilla" has its origin in the Spanish language, where it describes a simple, flatbread made by frying or baking a mixture of ground corn, water, and sometimes lard or oil. The Mexican variant of the tortilla, which is commonly consumed today in many parts of the world, owes its name to the Spanish conquistadors who conquered Mexico in the 16th century. When Spanish settlers came to the New World, they encountered the indigenous peoples selling pancake-like disks made of ground corn. The Spaniards referred to these food items as "tortillas," which comes from the Spanish verb "tortear," meaning "to break" or "to split." This name was given to the corn-based disks because they were made by grinding masa (corn dough) until it became a paste, which was then formed into a round disk and cooked on a hot surface. The cooking process would sometimes result in the tortilla breaking or splitting, hence the name "tortilla." The Spanish settlers took the art of making tortillas back to their homeland, and the meal soon became popular among Spanish-speaking people worldwide. Today, tortillas are a staple food in many Latin American, Spanish, and Mexican dishes, eaten as a main course or as an accompaniment. The versatility of tortillas has led to the creation of a variety of dishes across different cultures, making the humble tortilla a globally consumed food item.