It’s no secret that Americans love tacos. They love tacos so much so that they ate more than 4.5 billion tacos last year. That’s about 490,000 miles of tacos or 775 million pounds of tacos, which equates to the weight of two Empire State Buildings. Whether it’s National Taco Day, Taco Tuesday, or any day of the week for that matter, Americans never seem to get enough of this social food.
Despite what you may think, the history of the taco is somewhat unknown. Some historians think that the word “taco” originated in the silver mines in Mexico in the 18th century. “Taco” referred to little explosives that workers used. These explosives were essentially gunpowder wrapped in pieces of paper, almost like a taquito, which acted like makeshift dynamite.
Others claim that the taco predates the 18th century and goes back to 16th century before the Spanish arrived in Mexico. Anthropologists say that some evidence supports the fact that inhabitants near the lake region in the Valley of Mexico consumed fish tacos. Other areas of Mexico were said to have other fillings like small insects or locusts.
We don’t want this to be a history lesson, but we wanted to give you some cool information surrounding a meal we have come to know and love. There are so many ways to make a delicious taco, so use the following recipes as healthy inspiration. Get your salsa, guac, and toppings out today and celebrate all that is taco!
Mushroom Fajitas With A Kick
The flavors of the fajitas come from the bold marinade. You can leave the vegetables in the marinade for a longer time, if you like, to really absorb the flavors. If you have signature salsa that you make, go ahead and use it as a topping!
Click here to make the recipe.
Veggie Tacos With Green Onion Ties
You can’t really go wrong with the ingredients in this recipe. The steamed broccoli with the quinoa and black beans give these tacos a lot of great textures!
Click here to make the recipe.
Raw Mango, Strawberry, & Avocado Tacos
Believe it or not, adding fresh fruit to your tacos complements the flavors of the tomatoes and avocado. It’s almost like assembling a vibrant, fruity salsa in one raw taco. Enjoy the flavors!
Click here to make the recipe.
Make Your Own Vegan Taco Spread
For this recipe, we are leaving the meat, tortillas, and cheese alone and swapping them for much healthier options. Spices and fresh ingredients are your friends in this recipe to achieve those bold, signature flavors you know and love.
Click here to make the recipe.
