Elote

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Child eating elote

Elote (Nahuatl: elotl) or choclo (Quechua) is a popular street food served in Mexico. It consists of a roasted corn on the cob. In Mexico, Chicago, and in the south of the United States, it is customary to consume elotes like a popsicle on a stick or by grasping the roasted husk of the ear of corn that have been pulled down to form a "handle". Hot chile sauce can be spread on the elote as well as other condiments such as butter, mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, lemon juice, and salt. Powdered lemon pepper seasoning is used on elote in Texas.

Some people prefer to eat elote off the cob. The corn kernels can be cut off the cob and put in a styrofoam cup. All the above toppings are mixed into the corn and eaten with a spoon.

In the urban zones of Mexico the eloteros are people who specifically dedicate themselves to selling elotes and transporting them in a manual covered cart. They can cross the streets or be fixed in a position in the street. The customers at the table can choose elotes and toppings according to their preference. The eloteros cook the corn with the husk on to give the elotes more flavor. They roast them on live coals and splash salt water on them until the husk begin to burn. The stores and the carts that sell elotes also sell other food items such as esquites and epazote.