Humitas — Print Recipe — The Culinary Codex

Sweet, creamy parcels of fresh ground corn seasoned with basil and onion, wrapped in corn husks and steamed until set — Chile's beloved summer treat.

Ingredients

1 Carefully remove corn husks and set aside. Cut kernels from cobs and grind in a food processor to a coarse paste.
2 Sauté onion in butter until soft. Add paprika and cook 1 min. Cool slightly.
3 Mix ground corn with sautéed onion, basil, salt, pepper, and optional cheese.
4 Place two corn husks overlapping. Spoon corn mixture into the center.
5 Fold husks around filling, tie with twine or strips of husk to secure.
6 Steam in a large pot for 30-40 min until firm. Serve hot, unwrapping at the table.

Did You Know?

Chileans debate whether humitas should be sweet or savory — and whether to add sugar or tomato is a family matter that can spark lively arguments.