Cuitlacoche - Corn Plant Fungus?

OK So I have a question about a food I had last year it's the fungus from the corn plant kind of like a mushroom called (heres the murderous part!) coltolacuche?? Had it in an empenada and loved it where in Playa can I find it? Thanks Chris

[denisea]

Huitlacoche [wee-tlah-KOH-cheh]... also spelled cuitlacoche... is considered to be a delicacy in Mexico. It's often refererred to as a mexican corn truffle. It's actually a fungus named Ustilago maydis that grows naturally on ears of corn. It's used to add a earthy smoky flavor to quesadillas, tamales, soups and other dishes.

Any ideas of where to get some of that yummy stuff in Playa???

[BeachBumpkin]

Denisea, you are so smart

I don't think the in-laws would like me eating corn smut; at least that's what they call it around here. What I read was that the USDA was testing to see if it could be safely produced here in the states. Lets hope they can find a market for it and we can get it growing in Ohio.

BB

First they wipe it out, then! then! they want it back!!! maybe they can find some chemical that they can use that they feel safe with , then down the road deal with what it dose to humans

I had heard that it was already being produced in the US. Certainly it's no trick to find here in Chicago, a couple of the stands at Maxwell Street have pots of it bubbling away (it looks like black beans) and it is not uncommon in Mexican restaurants, not to mention the high-end places like Frontera Grill using it regularly.

Here's a picture of a huitlacoche-infested ear (of corn), you can't really see the grossness of the raw stuff growing black and oozy all over the corn, but you can imagine:

[BeachBumpkin]

If it's on Maxwell and at The Frontera it's only a matter of time before we can get Mexican Truffles at our local grocery. Like the song says-"The south moves North and the North moves South". Mike G, where are you at ? I'm from Hammond originally.

BB

[BeachBumpkin]

MikeG,

Thank you for the picture. I just finished some rib chops ala Carson's.

North side of Chicago, Roscoe Village. I've seen canned huitlacoche in stores and it must be at some Latino groceries if people are cooking with it.

[mindz]

I love that black oozy stuff
In Playa I have had it in crepes (crepas) at La Parilla and also at Ula Gula (can't remember how it was prepared there). In Puebla, I watched it being prepared - cut from the cob along with the regular corn kernels, fried with onion, and served it in tacos. I have also had huitlacoche pizza in Puebla.

At our local farmers market in Wisconsin, I have asked all the sweet corn growers if they ever get corn smut. Most act shocked; their corn is always very healthy thank you very much! The one Mexican vegetable farmer had never eaten it, had heard of it but never seen it.

When I was growing up, there was a corn field at the end of the block where we played. I remember seeing corn smut growing out of the ears and running away in terror, as it it was something that might be catching

[Mave]

I've had this stuff growing on my sweetcorn in the past. I knew it was a delicacy, but I was chicken to try to do anything with it. I might get braver this summer.

Mave

[Lizacat]

When I was growing up, there was a corn field at the end of the block where we played. I remember seeing corn smut growing out of the ears and running away in terror, as it it was something that might be catching [/quote]
Another midwesterner weighing in here...yes, corn smut is SO gross..um..does anyone know if it is the same stuff as they serve in Mexico...And, could anyone describe what it tastes like? mushrooms? I'll try anything once!

They put it in the quesedillas at Maya Tulum in Tulum just off the 307. The boyfriend LOVED it...I just couldn't get quite get into it that much. But hey, to each his own fungus...I'll take the mushrooms!!

[Sol]

Originally Posted by Mave

I've had this stuff growing on my sweetcorn in the past. I knew it was a delicacy, but I was chicken to try to do anything with it. I might get braver this summer.

Mave

Try it in quesadillas. You just need a little bit mixed with corn kernels. Something else that is very tasty are squash blossoms or flor de calabaza. These are a wonderful addition to quesadillas.

[Susie Q Roo]

I just stumbled across this article and remembered this thread... thought I'd add what little I could! Click below to read:

Steve, don't eat it!

(Sorry if this offends any lovers of the stuff. Never tried it myself, but if we go by visuals.... )