Pueblos del Maiz - Processing of corn through nixtamalization

Saturday May 6th, 2023 8:00 am - 11:00 am
At Mission Garden’s Placita and O’odham Ramada
Free, with suggested donation at the Garden entrance

Mission Garden joins in this Tucson City of Gastronomy tradition of celebrating and teaching about corn, known as Pueblos del Maiz.. Whether you call it corn, maize, or maíz, there’s a lot to learn about corn and how it is used. There have been thousands of years of corn domestication and use, and many traditional ways of processing and using it.

At this event Mission Garden partners will come together to demonstrate some of these traditions. 

Ajo Center for Sustainable Agriculture will demonstrate making ga’iwsa. This is made of mature ears of O’odham 60-day corn that are roasted, dried, and then milled into a coarse corn meal. Chef Cody from AjoCSA will also demonstrate a cornbread recipe. AjoCSA is a Native American governed 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides agricultural education, reduces barriers to healthy and culturally-appropriate foods, preserves and revitalizes agricultural traditions, fosters local, food-based economic development and establishes valuable partnerships.

Flowers and Bullets will demonstrate nixtamalization. This is the process of making masa, or corn dough, by soaking the corn in lime to soften it, then milling it while wet into the dough that can be used to make tortillas, tamales and other delights. Flowers and Bullets is a nonprofit place-based organization focused on empowerment within underserved communities teaching about growing food and sustainable living, in order for people to thrive in our urban setting. Their members value the sharing of stories to reconnect to culture, heritage foods and lifeways. The homegrown, homemade tortilla made from maíz is an act of sovereignty and an example of traditional knowledge regained.

Event Timeline
8:30am-9:00am Flowers & Bullets, nixtamal demonstration
9:15am-9:45am Ajo CSA presentation of Gaiwsa & Cornbread
10:00am Local band Tradiciones will be playing music in the garden.

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Please reach out to Kendall at kendall@missiongarden.org with any additional questions