Esquites

Esquites fried in butter on a street stall

Street vendor selling esquites in Mexico City

Esquites (plural only, also ezquites , troles , trolelotes , elote en vaso or vasito de elotes ) is a Mexican snack made from prepared corn . It is common all over Mexico , especially as antojito (Mexican street food ).

The term comes from the Aztec Nahuatl language - ízquitl means roughly ' roasted corn' - although today it is generally prepared by frying the kernels of corn.

As a starter or side dish , esquites are also common in the United States , especially in areas with high levels of Mexican immigrants .

preparation

The ripe corn kernels are first cooked in salt water. Then they are sautéed in butter (or oil ) together with onions , pequin chillies , salt and epazote . Esquites are often served with mayonnaise , lime juice , chili powder, and cotija cheese in a mug and eaten with a spoon .

In addition, there are regional differences in preparation: some of the corn is cooked in chicken broth (instead of water) or cream or cream cheese is added.