Pigs & Tamales in Denton, Texas

This is a story of the wonders of a local state fair. State fairs are a rich part of life in Texas. They focus on preserving agricultural traditions, and for many are a family affair. The North Texas Fair and Rodeo is a big event for the City of Denton, but also throughout the North Texas area.

While in Texas, Lidia also meets with the Swan family. She spends time with their young daughter Kate, age 12, who raises pigs and shows them at the State Fair. She's following in the footsteps of her older sister, who's now at college. Kate’s father helps show her the ropes, and even makes the whips that help steer the pigs. Kate is now proud to have taken over most of the responsibilities herself. She shows Lidia how to wash and brush the pigs, feed them, and pamper them.

Lidia learns about raising pigs in Denton, Texas

In Denton, Lidia also visits Jorge Landeros who owns Milpa’s Kitchen, an award-winning Tex-Mex restaurant, and a center for the community.

Lidia learns how to prepare delicious Mexican tamales, at Milpa's Kitchen in Denton, Texas.

Jorge immigrated to the US 20 years ago, and makes legendary tamales (his mother’s recipe). They are a traditional Mexican dish, and are ever-present around the holidays. At Milpa's Kitchen, Lidia meets up with Jorge and his cousin Cecilia, and together they prepare the tasty tamales.

As they sit down to enjoy the food, Jorge talks about the tradition of making tamales and how special they are to the Mexican culture at Christmas time.