Humintas

Name: Humintas
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Bolivian
Ingredients: 8 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (husks reserved); 1 cup queso fresco, crumbled; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1/2 cup sugar; 1 tsp anise seeds; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 eggs

Humintas (oo-MEEN-tahs)

Fresh Corn Tamales

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 262 kcal

Sweet, tender parcels of fresh ground corn mixed with cheese and anise, wrapped in corn husks and steamed or baked until custardy.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 8.0g

Carbs 35.0g

Fat 10.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free vegetarian nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

grinder or food processor steamer corn husks

Presentation Guide

Vessel: corn husk (served in wrapper)

Accompaniments: coffee, api

Ingredients

8 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (husks reserved)
1 cup queso fresco, crumbled
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp anise seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs

Instructions

1
Grind fresh corn kernels into a thick, chunky paste using a food processor.
2
Mix corn paste with cheese, melted butter, sugar, anise, cinnamon, salt, and eggs.
3
Prepare corn husks by softening in hot water.
4
Place 2-3 spoonfuls of mixture in each husk. Fold and tie securely.
5
Steam humintas for 45 min until firm and set, or bake at 180°C for 35 min.
6
Serve warm in the husk, unwrapping at the table.

💡

Did You Know?

Humintas can be savory or sweet — the great Bolivian debate is whether to add sugar or not, dividing families across generations.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

grinder or food processor
steamer
corn husks

Accompaniments

coffee, api

The Story Behind Humintas

Humintas are among the oldest Andean foods, predating the Inca Empire. Indigenous peoples wrapped fresh corn preparations in husks for cooking and portability. The addition of cheese, anise, and sugar came with Spanish influence, but the core technique of steaming ground corn in its own husk remains unchanged after thousands of years.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed breakfast, snack, carnival season 📜 Origins: Pre-Columbian Andean

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