Torta

{{Short description|Broad name for many breads}} {{Other uses|Torta (disambiguation)}} {{Distinguish|Tart|Torte|Tort|Tortilla}} {{Infobox food | name = Torta | image = Torta Cenceña (Roda).jpg | image_size = 250px | alternate_name = | country = {{plainlist| *Spain *Mexico *Italy *Philippines *Malta *Slovakia *Serbia *Bosnia *Croatia *Sweden *Albania }} | region = | creator = | course = | type = Flatbread, cake, sandwich, or omelette | served = | main_ingredient = | variations = | calories = | other = }}

'''Torta''' is a culinary term that can, depending on the cuisine, refer to cakes, pies, flatbreads, sandwiches, or omelettes.

Usually, it refers to: * a cake or pie in most of Europe, most of Latin America, and southern Philippines; * a flatbread in Spain; * a type of sandwich in Mexico; * a type of omelette in northern Tagalog-speaking areas of the Philippines.

== Etymology == The word comes from Late Latin ''torta'', an abbreviation of ''torta panis'' ("twisted bread"). Other related terms are English ''tart'' and Welsh ''torth'' ("loaf").

In US English, it is generally understood to be a loanword of Spanish ''torta'' ({{IPA|es|ˈtoɾta|lang}}).

== Cakes == [[File:Torta dolce.JPG|thumb|''Torta dolce'' (sweet cake), from Perugia, Umbria, Italy]] [[File:Torta Mamon (Philippines).jpg|thumb|Visayan ''torta mamón'' from the Philippines]]

=== Latin America and Spain === In some countries of Latin America, the word ''torta'', in a very common usage, is for sweet cakes (tortes), such as a wedding or birthday cake. This meaning is also present in other European languages. For example, the Italian ''torta'', German ''Torte'' or French ''tarte''. In Mexico, "torta" refers to a sandwich and the sweet cake is normally referred to as ''pastel'', which is also used in other parts of Latin America with this meaning. ''Huevo en torta'' (not to be confused with ''torta de huevo'') is a typical pastry from Sobrarbe, Aragon, Spain.

=== Philippines === In the southern Philippines, in the Visayas and Mindanao islands, ''torta'' is generally used to refer to small cakes. It usually refers to ''mamón'' or ''torta mamón'', a native porous sponge cake delicacy (traditionally made with lard and palm wine) that resembles a large cupcake with butter, sugar, and/or cheese on top, traditionally served with ''sikwate'' (a thick, hot drink made of ground roasted cacao seeds) for afternoon snack or merienda.<ref name="choosep">{{cite web |title=Torta Mamon Cebu Recipe |url=http://www.choosephilippines.com/eat/recipes/470/Torta-Mamon-Cebu-Recipe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728022609/http://www.choosephilippines.com/eat/recipes/470/Torta-Mamon-Cebu-Recipe/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 28, 2013 |website=Choose Philippines |access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Learn how to cook Cebu Torta Cake Recipe |url=https://www.pinoyrecipe.net/cebu-torta-cake-recipe/ |website=Pinoy Recipe at iba pa... |access-date=10 December 2018}}</ref>

=== Europe === In Hungarian, Polish, Slovak, Slovene, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Swedish, Italian, Macedonian and Bulgarian, it is a word for cake, typically made with layered sponge and cream, chocolate or fruit filling. In Portugal, it designates specifically a Swiss roll.

=== Middle East and North Africa === Sweet tarts in Arabic are called تورتَه (transliterated: twrtah) <ref>[https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-arabic/tart tart]. Cambridge English-Arabic dictionary</ref>

== Flatbreads ==

=== Spain === ''Torta'' in Spain originated in different regional variants of flatbread, of which the ''torta de gazpacho''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albacity.org/recetas/receta-gazpacho-manchego.htm|title=el Gazpacho Manchego|website=Albacete}}</ref> and ''torta cenceña''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turismolaroda.com/productos-tipicos/torta-cencena/|title=Torta Cenceña – Portal Turístico de La Roda – Ayuntamiento de La Roda|website=www.turismolaroda.com}}</ref> still survives in certain areas of Central Spain. Tortas are also mentioned in Leviticus 24:5-9, in the Spanish translation of the Bible. Presently, however, the word ''torta'' is also applied to different kinds of bread and pastry products according to the region.

Historically, the difference between ''torta'' and bread was its round and flat shape, as well as the use of baking soda/powder as the proofing agent instead of yeast. In most regions, a ''torta'' was traditionally considered an inferior form of bread, as the well known Spanish aphorism expresses:

{|style="margin:1em auto;" | :''A falta de pan buenas son tortas.'' ||

:Where there is no bread ''tortas'' will do. |}

=== Latin America === In Mexico, a variation says: ''A falta de pan, tortillas'' ("Where there is no bread, ''tortillas''"). However, the term "torta" in Mexico typically refers to a sandwich made with bread (see Mexico section, below, for more details).

''Torta frita'' is a fried flatbread eaten in Uruguay, Argentina and the Chilean Patagonia.

== Omelettes ==

In the northern Philippines, particularly among Tagalog-speaking provinces and islands, ''torta'' refers to a class of omelettes made by mixing eggs with various ingredients.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of Filipino Food, Spanish Influence|url=http://www.myfilipinokitchen.com/history-of-filipino-food-spanish-influence-2/|website=myfilipinokitchen|publisher=My Filipino Kitchen|access-date=12 February 2015}}</ref>

Tortas can be served any time during the day. There are many variations on Filipino tortas, such as:

* ''Tortang alamang'' or ''tortang hipon''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.recipegoulash.com/recipes/crispy-tortang-alamang-or-hipon-recipe/#Crispy_Tortang_Alamang_Recipe|title=CRISPY TORTANG ALAMANG OR HIPON RECIPE|date=October 4, 2021|access-date=December 17, 2021|archive-date=December 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217044613/https://www.recipegoulash.com/recipes/crispy-tortang-alamang-or-hipon-recipe/#Crispy_Tortang_Alamang_Recipe|url-status=dead}}</ref> – an omelette with krill or small shrimp. Also known as shrimp fritters,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delishph.com/small-shrimp-fritters-tortang-alamang-3/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211217044613/https://www.delishph.com/small-shrimp-fritters-tortang-alamang-3/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 17, 2021|title=Small Shrimps Fritters (Tortang Alamang)|date=March 19, 2019}}</ref> although this term usually refers to ''okoy'', a fritter made with shrimp and various vegetables (as well as other variations without shrimp). * ''Tortang carne norte'' - an omelette made with corned beef. * ''Tortang giniling'' or ''tortang picadillo'' – an omelette with ground meat (usually beef or pork) and sautéed vegetables.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Merano|first1=Manjo|title=Tortang Giniling Recipe|url=http://panlasangpinoy.com/2010/06/14/tortang-giniling-omelet-recipe/|website=Pansalang Pinoy|date=14 June 2010 |access-date=12 February 2015}}</ref> * ''Tortang gulay'' – an omelette with peppers, mushrooms, onion, and garlic. * ''Tortang kalabasa'' – an omelette made with finely julienned calabaza, eggs, flour, and salt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tortang Kalabasa with Malunggay |url=https://www.mamasguiderecipes.com/2017/11/11/tortang-kalabasa-malunggay/ |website=Mama's Guide Recipes |date=11 November 2017 |access-date=10 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Tortang kamote'' – an omelette made with mashed sweet potato, eggs, flour, and salt. * ''Tortang sardinas'' - an omelette made with sardines and tomato sauce. * ''Tortang talong'' – an eggplant fritter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tortang Talong Recipe|url=https://pilipinasrecipes.com/tortang-talong-eggplant-omelette/|website=Pilipinas Recipes|date=26 September 2018|access-date=27 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Eggplant Omelet (Tortang Talong)|url=https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/eggplant-omelet-tortang-talong|date=2018-09-06|website=Epicurious|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref> * ''Tortang okra'' – an omelette with thinly sliced okra, onion, and garlic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tortang Okra |url=https://www.angsarap.net/2020/06/12/tortang-okra/ |website=Ang Sarap |date=12 June 2020 |access-date=17 June 2020}}</ref>

=== Spain and Latin America === ''Tortilla de huevo'' is a small fried mixture of scrambled eggs, usually eaten sandwiched in bread.

== Pies ==

=== Italy === In Italian, "{{lang|it|torta}}" means either cake or pie, however sweet or savoury.

The Italian ''torta'' is differentiated from ''crostata'' by the filling: a ''crostata'' has an inconsistent chunky filling, whereas a ''torta'' has a consistent filling made of blended ingredients.<ref>{{cite book|title=Italian cuisine|work=Arts and Traditions of the Table Series|last1=Capatti|first1=Alberto|last2=Montanari|first2=Massimo|translator=Áine O'Healy|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2003|orig-year=1999|isbn=0-231-12232-2|page=60}}</ref>

Some wrongly believe that an Italian crust ''torta'' is a combination of layered cheeses and tomatoes to be spread onto bread. Italian ''torta'' is a pie similar to ''quiche'' and served as a brunch item. However, torta is different than quiche as the filling is mostly made of cheese, not egg. The crust can also be made from pizza dough. Ingredients vary as there are many variations of this torta. Traditional Italian torta usually includes ricotta, parmesan, parsley, and onion. There are also variations that contain meat and some that are completely vegetarian. These vegetarian torte sometimes contain artichokes and spices for flavor. This torta is made in a springform pan instead of a traditional pie pan.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ellis-Christensen|first1=Tricia|title=What is an Italian Torta?|url=http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-italian-torta.htm|website=wiseGEEK|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>

=== Brazil === Torta in Portugal, Brazil and other Portuguese speaking countries refers to a moist cake or a pie which can be a sweet or savory dish.

=== Malta === Torta in Malta means a pie, which can be sweet or savoury.

Most "tortas" are generally savoury, with a classic Maltese dish being "torta tal-lampuki" (lampuki, singular lampuka, are a type of common fish found in Maltese waters).

A common example of a sweet Maltese torta is "{{lang|mt|torta tal-lewz}}" ({{lang|mt|lewz}}, singular {{lang|mt|lewza}}, means almonds in Maltese. Almonds are a very common ingredient in Maltese cuisine, although some people prefer to use marzipan over almonds, either because of ease, taste preference or cost.

=== South America === In Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, and Uruguay, people typically refer to dessert cakes as "tortas."

== Sandwiches ==

=== Mexico === [[File:tortamex.jpg|thumb|alt=Typical Mexican Torta|Mexican-style torta (made with telera) with typical accompaniments]] [[File:Torta ahogada.jpg|thumb|Mexican ''torta ahogada'', a pork sandwich with chili/tomato sauce, onion slices and lime juice]]

In Mexico, a ''torta'' is a kind of sandwich,<ref>"[http://www.averagebetty.com/recipes/grilled-chicken-torta-recipe/ Mexican Torta recipe]"</ref> served on one of two types of white sandwich rolls. The first is similar to a small baguette, and may be referred to as a bolillo, birote, or ''pan francés'' depending on region. The second is a flat, oblong, soft roll also called a sandwich roll, also referred as a telera. Tortas can be eaten cold or hot, and grilled or toasted in a press in the same manner as a Cuban sandwich.

Garnishes, such as avocado, chili pepper (usually poblano, chipotle or jalapeño), tomato, and onion, are common. The dish is popular throughout Mexico, and is also available anywhere with a large Mexican population. In Northern Mexico, the ''torta'' is very frequently called '''''lonche''''' by influence of the English "lunch", as it may be eaten during lunch break.

The sandwich is normally named according to its main ingredient: * ''Torta de jamón'', ham-filled ''torta'' * ''Torta de aguacate'', avocado-filled ''torta'' * ''Torta de adobada'', adobo meat-filled ''torta'' * ''Torta de huevo'', scrambled eggs-filled ''torta'' * ''Torta de milanesa'', ''torta'' filled with a milanesa (breaded fried cutlet) * ''Tortope'', chicken sope-filled ''torta''

A few ''tortas'' have names whose connections to their fillings is less clear. The ''torta ahogada'' (meaning "drowned" ''torta'') of Guadalajara is smothered in a red sauce. Different fillings are available and they may be mixed to create an original ''torta''. Meanwhile, the ''torta cubana'' ("Cuban ''torta''") is stuffed with a variety of meats, the identity of which varies across Mexico. This ''torta'' is unrelated to the Cuban sandwich served in Florida and Cuba and is not believed to have any connection to Cuban cuisine at all; instead, it seems to have been named for the place of its invention, ''Calle Republica de Cuba'' (Republic of Cuba Street) in Mexico City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/lucky-peach/on-tortas-cubanas-834c317961c6|title=On Tortas Cubanas|first=Brigham|last=Barnes|website=Lucky Peach |publisher= Medium |date=3 September 2014}}</ref>

Due to the practicality of being hand-carried, ''tortas'' are sold at massive events, such as football matches, parades, and outdoor concerts, but they are also available for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at dedicated establishments or sold as street food by food carts.

The origin of the torta is unclear, but some claim it sprouted in Puebla due to Spanish-French interaction; others argue it was a late-arriving example of American influence.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Alaniz|first1=Leticia|title=Tortas – The Mexican Quintessential Sandwich|url=http://leticiaalaniz.blogspot.com/2011/08/tortas-mexican-quintessential-sandwich.html|website=Leticia Alaniz|date=3 August 2011|access-date=12 February 2015}}</ref> ''Teleras'' (the bread usually used in tortas) were inspired by French baguettes.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Torta|url=https://bolillotortas.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/history-of-the-torta/|website=bolillotortas|date=6 December 2011|publisher=Bolillo Tortas|access-date=11 February 2015}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed"> File:Torta Chicharrones-Galicia.jpg|''Torta de chicharrones'' from Galicia, Spain File:Tortas de aceite.jpg|''Tortas de aceite'' in Seville, Andalusia, Spain File:06.Torta de Huevo 02.JPG|Packed ''torta de huevo'', from Sobrarbe, Aragon, Spain File:Houghton LAC8.Ib170.839t - Trages y Costumbres 6.jpg|An 1839 drawing of a woman selling tortas File:01.Torta.JPG|Torta from Ribagorza, Aragon, Spain File:TortaImperial-P1090313.JPG|Torta imperial, Spain File:TortaFrita.jpg|''Torta frita'' from Uruguay and Argentina File:Torta verde.jpg|''Torta verde'' from Ventimiglia, Italy File:Tortas Oaxaquenas.jpg|Tortas being prepared on a griddle in Oaxaca, Mexico File:TORTA DE HUEVO.jpg|Mexican ''torta de huevo'' </gallery>

== See also == * Arepa * Tortilla * Mozzarella * Migas * Pupusa * Sopaipilla * Torta de gazpacho * Torta del Casar, a cheese made from sheep's milk in Extremadura, Spain. * Torte * List of sandwiches * {{portal-inline|Food}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category multi|Torta (flatbread)|Tortas (sandwich)}} * [http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/torta Spanish Dictionary: Torta]

Category:Flatbreads Category:Mexican cuisine Category:Omelettes Category:Filipino cuisine Category:Sandwiches Category:Spanish words and phrases Category:Unleavened breads Category:Street food in Mexico