molcajete

American  

[mohl-kuh-he-tey] / ˌmoʊl kəˈhɛ teɪ /

noun

Mexican Cooking.

1. a mortar and pestle set that is usually made of basalt or other roughly textured volcanic rock, and is used to grind and mix food.

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Etymology

Origin of molcajete

First recorded in 1905–10; from Mexican Spanish, from Nahuatl mōlcaxitl, mulcazitl, from mōlli “something ground,” also “gravy, sauce” ( cf. guacamole, mole ⁶ ( def. )) + caxitl “bowl, cup, vessel”

Example Sentences

The woman's mother had buried her molcajete, metate, comal, and cazuelas in a hole in the ground and fled.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2023

If you’re searching for a holiday gift that expresses artistry, utility and permanence — given its material, volcanic stone — there’s nothing quite like a molcajete from Mexico.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022

A molcajete dish, sometimes known as the molcajete mixto, must be prepared to order, its elements pulled straight from the grill.

From Washington Post • Feb. 25, 2019

Its accompaniments include fire-blackened scallions, jalapeño and nopales; roughly mashed salsa de molcajete made with fire-roasted tomato and red pepper; and a bowl of nondescript pinto beans.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2017

I packed the comal, the escobeta brush, the plastic baggies filled with spices we had brought, the molcajete and pestel.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez