Totally Tucson 12 days of Christmas

Forget the five golden rings. And what would we do with a partridge in a pear tree?

But we do have some definite food-centric ideas about the ideal 12 days of Christmas — and they are all totally Tucson.

1 Chiles rellenos. This baby hails from Little Café Poca Cosa, where the crispy coating protects lots of melted cheese and a not-too-spicy Anaheim chile. Cloud light and just plain divine. 151 N. Stone Ave. No phone or website, and you’ve got to catch it before 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

2 Dozen tortillas. One dozen from St. Mary’s Mexican Food, 1030 W. St. Mary’s Road, 884-1629 ($3.75 for large), the other from Anita Street Market, ($3.89 large), 849 N. Anita Ave., 882-5280, both on Facebook. Each makes the flour tortillas paper thin, fresh daily and sublime. They keep us coming back for more and more.

3 Sonoran dogs. Tucked into a fluffy white bun slathered with mustard and mayo, the hot dogs are wrapped in bacon and topped with sweet tomatoes, grilled onions, and spicy jalapeño. El Güero Canelo does no wrong in this ($2.78). 5201 S. 12th Ave., 295-9005; 2480 N. Oracle Road, 882-8977; and 5802 E. 22nd Street, 790-6000. elguerocanelo.com

4 Posole. From Michoacán Taqueria Raspados, where the soup/stew/bowl of heaven ($6.99) has a rich red broth, big chunks of tender pork and fat hominy. 3235 N. Flowing Wells Road, 888-0421, on Facebook.

5 Sopapillas. Warm pillows of deep-fried pastry drizzled with cinnamon-spiked honey from Rosa’s Mexican Food ($6.50), 1750 E. Fort Lowell Road, 325-0362.

6 Tamale pies. Cheesy, creamy, corn flecked, and with a hint of heat, the tamale pie at Cafe Poca Cosa is one of those things you wake up in the middle of the night longing ($20). 110 E Pennington St., 622-6400, cafepocacosatucson.com

7 Salsas. Guadalajara Original Grill makes it tableside to your specifications. Watch the staff crush the garlic, throw in the roasted tomatoes, sprinkle in the cilantro, spoon in the smoked chile. That salsa comes shortly after you sit down and is included in the cost of the meal. It’s good enough to fight the long lines waiting to get into the restaurant, 1220 E. Prince Road, 323-1022, guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com

8 Fry bread. These are from one of those food stands outside Mission San Xavier del Bac, 1950 W. San Xavier Road. You watch it turn golden brown in the boiling oil, and the powdered sugar sprinkled on top sort of melts right into the big round disc of deliciousness.

9 Horchatas. This creamy heat buster, a liquid blend of rice, almonds and sesame seeds, smacks of goodness. Especially as it is made at Taqueria Pico de Gallo — and it is homemade there ($2.50 for a large). That’s not as common as it use to be. 2618 S. Sixth Ave.,

623-8775, on Facebook.

10 Eegee’s. Speaking of heat busters, this Tucson original is the ultimate. Flavors change on a regular basis, but we often find ourselves going straight for the original lemon, which usually has a hefty lemon wedge stuck right in the frozen drink ($2.69). Locations are abundant. eegees.com

11 Empanadas. The crispy pastry is savory or sweet and each bite offers a surge of textures and flavors. Especially the cream-filled ones from La Estrella Bakery (60 cents each), 5266 S. 12th Ave., 741-0656, and 100 S. Avenida Del Convento, 393-3320, laestrellabakeryincaz.com

12 Tamales. Tucson Tamale is popular and tasty with unique combinations, but we admit to a weakness for the green corn tamales from Lerua’s ($3.25). Not-too-sweet masa protecting melted cheese and a long, sometimes spicy, strip of roasted chile — just as its been enjoyed for generations. 2005 E. Broadway, 624-0322, leruasfinemexicanfoods.com