Hibiscus flowers as a substitute for meat in tacos de birria? Or what about seitan ground "beef," a plant-based meat alternative made from wheat gluten?
Vendors like CholoAss Vegan will challenge the assumptions of what Mexican cuisine really is alongside Westwood community organizers at the returning Veggie Viernes set for this week.
"Not all Mexican food has to be full of meat and cheese," said Damaris Ronkanen, the owner of Cultura Chocolate and founder of Hecho en Westwood. "There are really amazing plant-based, vegan Mexican foods and we're wanting to showcase that in an accessible way."
This year's Veggie Viernes will take place Friday, June 16 from 6 -9 p.m. Eleven food vendors will be on site at the RISE Westwood Campus (3738 Morrison Rd.) serving vegan or vegetarian food options using traditional Mexican ingredients.
Other local artisan BIPOC and Latinx vendors from the community will also be selling goods. DJ Konz will play the jams and Danza Mexika will put on a live performance.
What was originally a monthly series is now one big annual event, this year being the third, organized with the help of Hecho en Westwood, Re:Vision, Cultura Chocolate, In Lak'ech Denver Arts and CholoAss Vegan.
"Most of the food vendors that we are working with really rely on all of the amazing produce and plant-based products that are common in Mexico. It's very important to us to redefine what vegan food can be," said Ronkanen.
Local food-focused nonprofit Re:Vision supports the mission of Veggie Viernes because it builds on efforts centered around sustainable farming and food access.
"Vegetarianism is not a foreign concept to Mexican culture and cuisine, it is a part of our culinary practices," said Mariana del Hierro, executive director of Re:Vision. "We're able to not so much say that vegetarian or veganism is white but also re-own it and highlight that it is part of our practices."
Hierro added that the vendors are people from Westwood who will actually benefit financially from the event. The current vendor lineup includes these businesses:
- Besitos Chamoy
- CholoAss Vegan
- Cultura Chocolate
- Dos Caras
- Dos Santos Pasteis
- Gorditas by Irma
- Kahlo's Restaurant
- Maiz Denver
- Muejeres Emprendedoras
- The Hungry Tree Hugger
- 4 Vientos
