Interviewer
Mariana Garcia
Project
El Paso Folklore (English 3374)
Summary of Interview
Maria de los Angeles Jaquez Escobar is the youngest of her siblings. Raised in a small town in the municipality of Belisario Domínguez, Chihuahua, she grew up surrounded by farming and ranching, a way of life that fundamentally shaped her life. With parents who were agricultores, living directly from the land, she learned early on that food is more than sustenance; it is a foundation for community and identity. In the interview, Angeles recalls her first introduction to cooking, when preparing food began as a playful game with a friend. Guided by her mother’s teachings and her friend’s eagerness to play, they prepared her first dish: sopa de fideos. Later, through helping her father plant and harvest beans, corn, wheat, chile, among other crops, she came to understand almost subconsciously the importance of having a direct interaction with food. These experiences nurtured a relationship with the land and its harvests, adapting the way she expresses love and care through cooking.
Her move to El Paso, Texas, exposed her to new foods, yet it did not alter the essence of her relationship with food. Despite the city’s fast-paced rhythm, Ángeles remained committed to the principle of time and care in preparation. For her, cooking slowly and intentionally is an act of love, a way of honoring and taking care of her family. Her food reflects not only her identity but also the community she carries within her. Angeles often speaks of her parents: her mother, who taught her to cook with whatever ingredients were available, and her father, who instilled in her the importance of tending carefully to food as a way of forming connection. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls her favorite dishes and the reasons they hold meaning. For her, sazón is not just flavor; it is nourishment, a language of affection and love that binds her family together and preserves the essence of her background.
Date of Interview
11-18-2025
Length of Interview
53 mintues
Listen to the Interview
Tape Number
No. 1810
Transcript Number
No. 1810
Interview Number
1810
Terms of Use
Closed until 12/01/25
Recommended Citation
Interview with Maria de los Angeles Jaquez Escobar by Mariana Garcia, 2025, "Interview No. 1810," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.
Comments
Student Created