The Cheesy Review - Fritas, Quesadillas and Sincronizadas

 Fritas is short for tortillas fritas, or fried tortillas, and that's exactly what they are (fried corn tortillas, that is). Eaten mostly for dinner (remember in Mexico that lunch is the big meal and dinners are smaller), some slightly stale tortillas are commonly filled with cheese or mashed potatoes and are then lightly fried and simply served with salsa.

 Sincronizadas are made from flour tortillas specifically and are truly a handheld snack - since they require no frying and get no salsa or any of the traditional garnishes. Just heated through on a comal, the most popular option (and even available in some stateside delis in the right neighborhoods) is ham and cheese.

Quesadillas are not made from tortillas here in Mexico; they are made from corn masa (the same kind from which you would also make tortillas) and are enjoyed as a meal, whether in the home or on the street. They are stuffed with cheese and meat or vegetables and can then be topped with salsa, more cheese, lettuce, cream, etc... (that's what makes them meals).

Any questions?