{{Short description|Corn-based Mexican street food dish}} thumb|280x280px|Esquites '''Esquites''' (or '''ezquites''') ('''troles''' and '''trolelotes''' in Northeast Mexico, '''chasca''' in Aguascalientes, '''vasolote''' in Michoacán, etc.) also known as '''elote en vaso''' (corn in a cup), also served in the Southwestern USA<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tijuanatesorprende.com/index.php/gastronomia-tj/deleitate/item/la-eloteria |title=La Elotería |access-date=2015-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208170650/http://tijuanatesorprende.com/index.php/gastronomia-tj/deleitate/item/la-eloteria |archive-date=2015-12-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unileverfoodsolutions.com.mx/recetas/Bocadillos/Calientes/Vaso-de-Elotes-Saludable.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208161217/http://www.unileverfoodsolutions.com.mx/recetas/Bocadillos/Calientes/Vaso-de-Elotes-Saludable.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 8, 2015|title=Vaso de Elotes Saludable > Bocadillos | Unilever Food Solutions México|date=Dec 8, 2015|access-date=Dec 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mytaste.mx/b/vaso-de-elotes-para-vender.html|title=Recetas de elote en vaso|website=myTaste.mx|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bonitoleon.com/2014/04/elote-en-vaso-del-centro-historico.html |title=Elote en vaso del Centro Histórico | Bonito León Guanajuato |access-date=2015-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208042741/http://www.bonitoleon.com/2014/04/elote-en-vaso-del-centro-historico.html |archive-date=2015-12-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref> is a Mexican snack or antojito.<ref name=TVAzteca>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvazteca.com/nota/paratodos/elotes-y-esquites-para-quitar-el-antojo/2009-11-831|work=TV Azteca|title=Elotes y esquites para quitar el antojo|access-date=2010-09-25|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324162136/http://www.tvazteca.com/nota/paratodos/elotes-y-esquites-para-quitar-el-antojo/2009-11-831|archive-date=2010-03-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> One can find them at local markets, and street vendors selling corn. The word ''esquites'' comes from the Nahuatl word ''ízquitl'', which means "toasted corn".<ref name=LAWeekly>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/street-food/welcome-to-the-season-of-esqui/|title=Street Food: Welcome to the Season of Esquites: Mexican Grilled Corn|work=LA Weekly|author=Gonzalez, Dommy|access-date=2010-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819130243/http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/street-food/welcome-to-the-season-of-esqui/|archive-date=2010-08-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> thumb|National Museum- Caja de Mazorca de Maiz
== Origin == Although its true origin is not known, it is a common understanding that esquites are historically a common Mexican street food. According to Nahuatl stories, esquites are credited as being created by the deity Tlazocihuapilli of Xochimilcas, who is also credited with creating Mexican atole and corn jelly.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sam |first1=Vanessa |last2=Rebolledo |first2=Christian Valera |date=2021-01-06 |title=Mexican Esquites Give a Tasty Twist to Corn |url=https://www.zenger.news/2021/01/06/mexican-esquites-give-a-tasty-twist-to-corn/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Zenger News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Amigofoods-2021">{{Cite web |last=Amigofoods |date=2021-03-05 |title=Esquites, Mexican Corn In A Cup |url=https://blog.amigofoods.com/index.php/mexican-foods/esquites/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=The Best Latin & Spanish Food Articles & Recipes - Amigofoods |language=en-US}}</ref>
There is an alternative origin story that claims that in the late 1800's, Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico and Empress Charlotte of Belgium created a dish referred to as "Odalisque Teeth", when they accidentally used corn flour instead of wheat.<ref name="Amigofoods-2021"/> The modern day esquite is known as a Mestizo preparation because many of its fundamental ingredients (not including corn) were from Spain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-27 |title=Esquites, the most popular corn craving in Mexico |url=https://www.mexicanist.com/l/esquites-the-most-popular-corn-craving/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=Mexicanist |language=en}}</ref>
== Ingredients == thumb|White corn boiled for esquites thumb|Esquite made in Flamin' Hot Cheetos bag Esquites are generally made from white corn kernels that have been boiled and softened in water, which typically contains salt and epazote. Sometimes the corn is also sauteed in butter and onions after it has been boiled. The white corn kernels are first boiled until soft and tender in large pots and served in plastic or styrofoam cups, hence the name in English, "corn in cup". One can additionally find them being served in corn husks. The ingredients can vary; toppings for esquites include (but are not limited to) combinations of lime juice, chili powder or hot sauce, salt, Cotija cheese, and mayonnaise.<ref name="NYMag">{{Cite journal|url=http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/the-esquites-man/|journal=New York|title=The Esquites Man|author1=Patronite, Rob |author2=Raisfeld, Robin |access-date=2010-09-25}}</ref><ref name="DVM">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FY5JXIQJ9ZQC&q=Esquites&pg=PA108|work=Delicias vegetarianas de México|author=Cardona, Gloria|title=Esquites|access-date=2010-09-24|isbn=978-968-860-836-4|date=2007-09-01|publisher=Editorial Pax México |language=es}}</ref> In places like Mexico City they are sometimes also topped with Mexican Chapulines or crickets.
A popular modern-day variation is to top the corn with blended Flamin' Hot Cheetos or Takis. New variations include all the same ingredients but mixed in with a chip bag of choice.
==See also== * Elote * Maize * Corn cheese
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Mexican cuisine}} {{Street food}}
Category:Maize dishes Category:Mexican cuisine Category:Snack foods Category:Street food