Ewwwww Yuck! Cuitlacoche

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Cuitlacoche is a black fungus that infects corn fields, making the kernels bulbous and swollen as they fill with spores. It also goes by the name Huitlacoche. If you're having trouble with the pronounciation, it's: Cuitlacoche (kweet-lah-KOH-chay) or Huitlacoche (dat-sfuckin-NAS-tee).

It's safe to say this is the first time I've ever paid for an infection. I am, of course, not counting the one I got from your mother. (YES! You walked right into that.)

I've read that U.S. farmers consider it a disease and destroy it. Farmers in Mexico put it in cans and sell it as a delicacy. I travelled far and wide to find my own precious can of Cuitlacoche. Okay, it was at my supermarket, but I had to drive like two miles to get there and got stuck at a couple of lights.

Don't worry, I checked the ingredients before I tasted it. "Smoker's lung" was not on there.

Before I even got the whole can open, I detected a vague aroma of sweet corn, along with what I can only describe as a deep musky funk. Put 'em together and it smells like corn that forgot to wipe.

In just a single serving, you'll experience a wide array of textures. Without getting too gross, it's because the disease is more advanced in some kernels than others. One bite might be kinda chewy, while the next might burst in your mouth like a black pus-filled blister. (Whoops, forgot about the not-too-gross thing. Oh well. Nuts to you!)

So, how does Huitlacoche taste? Does it matter?? LOOK AT IT!

I guess it would be fair to say it doesn't taste as truly horrible as it looks. The flavor is elusive and difficult to describe, but I'll try: "Kinda yucky." Hey, that wasn't so hard after all. (Sometimes I forget I'm a goddamn wordsmith.)

For any connoisseurs, I'm not sure if this stuff would go better with red wine or white. How about with a bottle of Bactine? I've always found that goes great with infections.

Huitlacoche also goes by some other names. It's frequently called Maize Mushroom, Corn Smut, and Mexican Truffle. I've even heard it referred to as "Devil Poop"-- but that was only after I said it. (For God's sake, it comes with little bits of corn already in it! Talk about a time-saver.)

http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/000344.php

[Aymerlu 3]

[no name 1]

ugh, so right. It looks like rotten eyeballs.

[pedroh 21]

fools...

huitlacoche is one of the most delicious dishes ever made...

[Bootylicious!! 2]

fools...

huitlacoche is one of the most delicious dishes ever made...

Don't even go there. Never could you convince me of this. I'd eat menudo before I'd eat that $hit.

[#@!!* 0]

Wow. You are truly a brave soul. But then again, so am I. I fed my husband spicy black bean burgers and have had to deal with the ramifications.

[pedroh 21]

its very very tasty, despite the looks...

[Jenn! 918]

Hey, I found some of that in my coffee pot just this past weekend!

Made for some wicked visuals, let me tell you.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

its very very tasty, despite the looks...

I like mushrooms and other fungus, but that looks like a rotten can of food.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am eating lunch right now. Thanks.

[Alex+R 0]

its very very tasty, despite the looks...

Are you supposed to do something with it? Or just eat it out of the can...

[Ban Hammer 14,302]

I am eating lunch right now. Thanks.

and just what does a troll eat for lunch?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am eating lunch right now. Thanks.

and just what does a troll eat for lunch?

my fungus is green

[pedroh 21]

its very very tasty, despite the looks...

Are you supposed to do something with it? Or just eat it out of the can...

nah, in Mexico you buy it fresh to start with lol, quite pricey.. you usually fry it or cook it, like frying it with onions and jalapenos, and make tacos out of it, or use it as a sauce for chicken or turkey, u can use it for lasagna too, its very good

[Ban Hammer 14,302]

I am eating lunch right now. Thanks.

and just what does a troll eat for lunch?

my fungus is green

troll jam?