For the second consecutive year, we held a special festival to commemorate Mexico’s Independence Day and continue our commitment to preserving the essence of local culture: the Nogada Festival. Discover the surprises of this celebration dedicated to the chile en nogada.

It’s commonly said that Mexicans use any excuse to celebrate, so it’s no surprise that we held the Festival de la Nogada for the second year in a row as part of the Independence Day festivities.

In addition to offering this iconic dish, which traditionally consists of a poblano pepper stuffed and covered in a walnut-based sauce and pomegranate seeds, the resort created a range of culinary and wellness offerings to celebrate it. Get ready for a feast of flavors:

Reinvented Classics

As part of the special menu, lovers of traditional dishes were treated to recipes that combined classic corn masa dishes with the flavors of nogada:

• Enchiladas: tortillas stuffed with chile en nogada, topped with nogada sauce and poblano pepper strips, sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and fresh parsley.
• Pellizcadas: a fried masa base similar to the “sope,” topped with chile en nogada, nogada sauce, poblano strips, and pomegranate seeds.
• Tamal: wrapped in corn husk, filled with chile en nogada and poblano slices, topped with nogada sauce, pomegranate seeds, and fresh parsley.

International Dishes, Mexican Style

For more adventurous palates, the resort crafted a fusion of foreign dishes and Mexican flavors:

• Pizza: a base with tomato sauce and oregano mixed with chile en nogada and stuffed with gouda cheese, topped with poblano strips, walnut sauce, pomegranate, and fresh parsley.
• Crepe: filled with cream cheese and dried fruits, drizzled with a sweet nogada sauce, and garnished with pomegranate seeds.

Refreshing Options

Guests also enjoyed fresh treats and cocktails with a seasonal twist to help beat the Puerto Vallarta heat:

• Ice Cream: featuring the traditional flavor of nogada sauce, sweetened and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds.
• Dragon Ball: a cocktail with pomegranate liqueur, dragon fruit, pickle juice, gin, tonic water, and fresh pomegranate.

Mexican-Inspired Wellness

Beyond the nogada dishes, AMET Spa offered a 55-minute Pomegranate Massage until September 22nd. The massage incorporated fresh juice and pomegranate seeds, known for their powerful antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation, and remove dead skin cells.

Undoubtedly, the Nogada Festival delighted Velas Vallarta’s guests with an innovative menu, exclusive cocktails, and unique Spa treatments that honored Mexico’s culinary history and independence.