Yojuela woman

Photo by Eric Mindling
1999

A Yojuela woman cooks corn tortillas on a comal. Both are central to the Oaxacan cocina, or kitchen. The comal is formed of low-fired clay with a high sand content, giving it resilience to the fire. A coating of lime provides a non-stick surface. The comal nestles into an adobe stove, open at one side for the fuel - branches or poles. Heat is controlled by pulling out or pushing in the wood.