Humintas, or humitas
History of Flávio Gomes - Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
Humintas, or humitas, are a Bolivian delicacy made with fresh corn ground in a stone hand mill called a batán. The word "huminta" comes from Quechua and refers to the way they are tied. This traditional dish has pre-Columbian roots and is common in Andean America, with variations of sweet or savory fillings. Preparation varies between countries and includes steamed, roasted and corn soup versions. The department of Tarija is known for its humintas, and an annual fair celebrates this tradition. The Bolivian corn used is creamy, coarse-grained and white in color. The preparation process involves shelling the corn, using the leaves for cooking and tying the humintas before cooking them in water with corn cobs.