Comal - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A comal is a flat, round griddle typically made of clay or metal, used in Mexican and Central American cooking to heat tortillas or roast ingredients. It is essential for traditional dishes.
Definition:
A flat griddle used in Mexican cooking, typically for heating tortillas or roasting food.
Synonyms:
griddle, skillet, hotplate
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
pot, bowl
Common Collocations:
cast-iron comal, heat the comal, comal for tortillas
Derivatives:
comales (plural), comalito (diminutive)
Usage Tips:
Use "comal" to refer to a traditional Mexican cooking surface, not a generic frying pan.
Common Phrases:
hot as a comal, like a comal, comal-cooked
Etymology:
Derived from Nahuatl "comalli," meaning a flat clay or stone cooking surface.
Examples:
- 1. She placed the tortilla on the hot comal to warm it.
- 2. The chef roasted peppers on the comal for the salsa.
- 3. A cast-iron comal is perfect for making quesadillas at home.
- 4. Grandma’s old clay comal still works better than modern pans.