STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
It’s made from dried chiles, nuts, seeds and sometimes chocolate, as well as other ingredients. In fact, some traditional moles require 30 ingredients and some may have a hundred or more.
Mole Poblano—one type among many-- is considered the national dish of Mexico, typically served on beef and pork.
The Hunger Coalition is celebrating mole with its inaugural MoleFest or Festival de Mole from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Bloom Community Food Center at Bellevue’s south end.
There’ll be music and raffles. And guests will be able to taste five scratch-made moles from chefs competing in a Top Chef-style cooking competition.
“Mole is a Mexican soul food originating in Oaxaca that’s often made of nuts, chili, special herbs and spices,” said Dolores Vega, the Hunger Coalition’s resource and advocacy supervisor. “The Hunger Coalition is thrilled to be hosting MoleFest to bring cultures together in celebration of this dish.”
“We opened Bloom Community Food Center to ring people together around food, celebrate culture and raise our voices for a better tomorrow,” added Kristin McMahon, communications supervisor for The Hunger Coalition. “MoleFest is a great way to do just that.”
Spectators will get a chance to vote for the Community Favorite. Judges will award Overall Best Flavor and Most Unique Flavor. The judges are Armando Armenta of La Cabanita, Becky Lopez of The Alliance, Bellevue Mayor Kathryn Goldman and Rudy Soto, USDA Rural Development state director for Idaho.
Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and children and including a tasting of the moles with rice and beans. Admission is cash only.
Questions? Call 208-788-0121.