ELOOOTEEEES, ESQUITEEEEEES

I will start by sharing with you a fun fact that doesn’t have to do anything with food.

Have you realized that Mexico doesn’t know what SILENCE is?

Why do I ask you this?

Well, because there is a reason why the title is written as it is.

You might not know it, but, I do not read the title. I sing it.

Yes. I sing it the same way I sing for “el panadero del pan” or even “el gas”.

If we are lucky, all over our non-gated neighborhoods the noise comes in with the offer of all kinds of services and products; and, if we are lucky, it stops until around 9 pm.

Unlucky means being woken up by all of the above at 7 am on Sunday and hearing the man selling “el pan” at around midnight.

And of course, when we are trying to concentrate or sleep in, we get mad about the noise, but, if we feel the munchies and we miss “los raspados” or “los dorilocos” or even “el pan”, believe me, we complain: “I didn’t hear him”, “he went by too fast”, etc.

We Mexicans are a broad spectrum of ridiculous inconsistencies that make our lifestyle a very interesting one, and definitely worth sharing. At least, to be understood.

But, all the above makes for another blog post.

Right now is all about BOTANAS.

The first botanas or ANTOJITOS (as we also call them) I will talk about are LOS ELOTES and LOS ESQUITES.

Have you ever seen them? Tried them?

When I think about ELOTES and ESQUITES in Mexico this is what I think of:

• El centro in Mexico City
• The stairs towards la peña at “Peña de Bernal”.
• El Parque de las Palapas in Cancún.
• The massive line up in the squares of Oaxaca City.
• The “snob” esquites at La Lupita restaurant in San Cristobal de las casas.

I also think of one of my best friends and pretty much about my whole family in Mexico City and of our trips to Xochimilco.

Elotes and esquites remind me as well of the question: “¿Pica o no pica?”. And, for sure, Elotes and esquites provide the proof of how Mexicans put lime to it all and how corn is just THE main staple of our fantastic gastronomy.

Recognize them:

We have plenty of places to find “Los elotes and les esquites”, but, this time around we are talking about the ones on the street.

Mainly, these elotes and esquites are moving carts with huge steel pots, extra-large mayonnaise containers and hanging disposable white cups of every size.

The carts are being pushed or ridden by men or women alike. These men and women stop their carts and place themselves at strategical spots where there is a good affluence of local passers- by and brave tourists.

The time at which these carts are found is mainly at sunset time until at around 9 pm.

What are they?

Basically, ELOTES are the corn on the cob but Mexican style.

And, what do I mean by Mexican style? Well, we pretty much dress the cob with an unhealthy amount of mayo, cheese, lime and 3 types of chili.

And ESQUITES are pretty much the same thing but served in a disposable white cup.

Healthy or Unhealthy?

I am no nutritionist, but, I dare to say that limiting the amount of spreads on top of them, these botanas are better and healthier than a Dunkin Donut, but still, not something to eat every day.

Still, oh so worth to try.

The step by step.

It doesn’t mean where you are in Mexico, you will ALWAYS find elotes and esquites, no questions asked.

Are they all the same? Yes, and no.

What is the difference?

A local person will choose their favorite elotes and esquites for one of these reasons:

• They are close to home
• There is no limit to how much of each spread you can get
• The flavor is better
• Loyalty
• Service

So, when you ask around do ask: ¿Cuáles son tus elotes o esquites favoritos? ¿En dónde te compras tus elotes o esquites favoritos?

Asking this is a very important first step.

Trying street food in Mexico is a great experience and it helps a lot if you get the one that we love.

So, asking around also helps you in practicing Spanish and connecting with people, don’t you think?

Depending where you are sometimes a Mexican will tell you they will take you.

If it is not too far and if you understand the language, go. Take your precautions but go. Your experience will be even better.

The second step is to choose if you will have ELOTE or ESQUITE.

Do you want to make garbage or not?

Do you want to eat with a spoon or biting off the cob?

Personally, when I was a kid I preferred the ELOTE. Today, I eat esquites most of the time. Its “cleaner”.

Please note that if you select the ELOTE, you can definitely ask for a size and for the “ripeness”.

Let’s see. What do I mean with this?

To be honest, it is hard to say. My mom always asked for an elote “tiernito” on our behalf. In my understanding an elote that is “tiernito” mainly means that it is soft to bite on. So, yes. Ask for them to be “soft”.

A very important fact about elotes and esquites is that they are BOILING HOT. Pretty much the whole time they stay the same thanks to the containers they are put in. So, “in a way”, if you are adventurous, that can help for you to trust it will all be ok.

The third step is to ask for the spreads or seasonings if you chose an elote.

An ELOTE will have as a first layer mayonnaise. Do you want A LOT? Normal? Very little or no mayo? You must say it. Then, cheese. How much of it? I must confess I need layers and layers of cheese. Next the lime. I am usually ok with just half of the lime squeezed on top of the elote. Lastly, “el chile”. I almost never want a very hot elote, and so, I always ask for “el chile que no pica” and “sin salsa”.

Normally, local people will put on 3 types of powder chile and salsa as well. HOT!!!!

Now, if you chose the esquites, you will have to decide:

• Do I want mayo in my cup? How much?
• How much lime do I want?
• How much cheese?
• Which one of the chiles?

Lastly, time to munch.

Take your esquites and stroll around the place enjoying the Mexican life. That is how we do it.

If you chose the elote, you will definitely need a bit more of concentration. The walking is done, but, at every bite, you stop. Every bite does demand a coordinated brain.

Can I make them at home?

OF COURSE!

Boil the corn grains in epazote and salt and just follow the same steps really.

And follow my advice:

• There is never enough mayo, cheese or lime
• Do NOT drink coffee or milk after the snack. BELIEVE ME, it will not go down well.
• If you want to try them and you see 3 carts and just one VERY BUSY man, stand in that line. You will not regret it.

Conclusion

Snacking on street food is not only part of our culture but always a family or friends event too.

Street food provides a reason to go out of the house and take the kids for a stroll and to share a favorite something.

Our “antojitos” are inexpensive and many times and for many people they are the alternative to a “night out”.

If you want to learn about Mexico 4Real, go on, take a walk, sit down and notice.

What is the life that is lived around those elote carts?

Thank you for reading.

See you at the next snack.

PS. The photos DO NOT belong to me. Google allowed me to use them.