Tostada, which basically means ‘toasted’ in Spanish, is a generic name for layers of toppings on a crispy fried tortilla. It can be consumed alone, as a salty snack known as totopo, (nachos, in Tex-Mex cuisine), or used a base for other foods. The tortillas are usually made out of corn flour or occasionally with wheat flour.

The Tostada initially has its origin in the need to avoid waste when tortillas went stale. It was submersed into boiling oil until becomes golden, rigid and crunchy, and then served with different kinds of Mexican food, mostly seafood, and spicy stews.

Another popular way to eat tostadas in Mexico is as a dish of its own. Beans, cheese, acidified cream, chopped lettuce, sliced onions and salsa are spread onto the tostadas like an "open faced" rigid taco, like a pizza. The tortilla is finally topped with the main ingredient, usually meat cooked and chopped specially to dress the tostada. It is usually cooked chicken or pork.

You can make tostadas out of everything from cooked shrimp to leftover roast beef to vegetarian chili.

Tostadas are also often served as an appetizer or snack, cut or crushed into tiny triangles accompanied with salsa, guacamole or beans for dipping.

Tostadas can be found almost anywhere in Mexico, but the state of Oaxaca has the larger one: the Tlayuda. These are as big as an average size pizza, but their main characteristic is that they are topped with chapulines, also known as fried grasshoppers.

Regional variations of Tostadas:

Cuban Tostada: In Cuban Cuisine, tostada refers to a slice of hand made Cuban bread, cut lengthwise, buttered, and pressed. They are typically served as a breakfast alongside a hot mug of cafe con leche.

Puerto Rican Tostada: It is the same as the Cuban Tostada, but is made with a different type of bread. Pan de agua is a baguette style bread is used, and it is served with Swiss cheese.

Colombian Tostada: In Colombia, tostada refers to a green, unripe plantain which has been cut into sections, fried, flattened, fried again, and salted. These tostadas are eaten much like potato chips or French fries.

Mariana Island Tostada: The tostadas here are made of a fried tortilla topped with minced seaweed, peppers, and meat, topped with cheese.

(Pic courtesy: cheffresco.com)