Tricolour Enchiladas (Enchiladas Banderas)

History & Origin

Enchiladas banderas are a culinary creation inspired directly by Mexican patriotism: three types of enchiladas arranged on the plate to represent the green, white and red of the national flag. They are a festive dish that appears frequently at Independence Day celebrations on 15th and 16th September. The most widespread version consists of green enchiladas with tomatillo and serrano salsa, white enchiladas covered in cream and cheese, and red enchiladas with ancho or guajillo chile sauce. Each area of central Mexico has its own interpretation with variations in fillings and sauces. This tricolour presentation exists in several forms in Mexican cooking: chiles en nogada also display the three patriotic colours. It reflects a tradition of encoding national pride in food, especially during festive seasons. Enchiladas banderas also celebrate the versatility of the enchilada format: the same rolled tortilla accepts endless fillings and sauces, making it the perfect vehicle to tell the story of three Mexican regions in one dish.