The artists chose three traditional dishes to serve: un taquito de cabrito (a goat taco), un asado de puerco y frijoles con veneno (pork in a spicy sauce with "poison" beans) y una empanada de cajeta y queso (an empanada with cajeta and cheese). These first two dishes were served on plates that the artists made out of clay. There were 52 of these plates, each painted with an image that represented one of the 52 municipalities in Nuevo Leon. The dessert came on plates that looked like leaves. We ate all of our food seated next to strangers, and that was part of the point—to highlight the role that a carne asada can play in making new friends. We sat next to Eve and Kiyomi, two women who were about our age, and we talked about everything from our jobs, to our travels, whether or not we believed in witches and what places we had to visit while in Monterrey.
The organizers of the event pointed out that the same innovative impulse that some regions use to make money could be used to start cultural events like this one! Being innovative, or having the courage and imagination to start something new, could be seen as its own tradition!
Some people say that the meat in Monterrey is good enough by itself to warrant a get together. From roasted goat, to premium steaks and pork rinds, you will find it all in Monterrey. My personal favorite carniceria (butcher shop) is La Ramos. Their chicharrones (pork rinds) are so famous that they even serve them on some Monterrey flights—way better than any salted pretzels! The meat, however, is only part of the story.
