This traditional Oaxacan dish — Segueza — is the ancient Zapotec festival stew of the Valles Centrales, whose very name means toasted corn in the Zapotec language. Toasted, cracked maize thickens a rustic chile broth holding rabbit or pork, perfumed with epazote, hoja santa and the wild herb chepiche. Served at weddings, velorios and patron saint fiestas, it is a thick, earthy taste of Oaxaca’s deepest traditions.
Segueza
This traditional Oaxacan dish — Segueza — is the ancient Zapotec festival stew of the Valles Centrales, whose very name means toasted corn in the Zapotec language.

Step by stepInstructions
- Toast the nixtamal corn on a hot comal, stirring, until dry and lightly toasted, then grind it coarsely (or toast coarse cornmeal in a dry pan).
- Simmer the rabbit in salted water until tender, about 1 hour, then strain and reserve 6 cups of broth; shred the meat.
- Toast the chiles until fragrant, soak in hot water for 20 minutes, then blend with the garlic, onion and a little broth; strain.
- Fry the chile puree in the lard for 10 minutes, then add the toasted corn and the reserved broth and simmer, stirring often, for 30 minutes until thick.
- Stir in the shredded meat, epazote, hoja santa and chepiche, and simmer 15 minutes more.
- Season with salt and serve hot with tortillas — the stew should be dense and hearty.
💡 Chef tips & storage
Chilcostle chiles are small and hard to find; guajillos are the classic substitute. Chepiche is a wild Oaxacan herb — a cilantro-epazote blend is the accepted stand-in.

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