esquites

noun

es·​qui·​tes e-ˈskē-(ˌ)tāz 

variants or less commonly esquite

e-ˈskē-(ˌ)tā 

plural esquites

: boiled, grilled, or sautéed corn kernels mixed with assorted ingredients (such as lime juice, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and chili powder)

Esquites is another variety of snack, … grilled fresh corn, but the kernels are removed from the cob and layered with sour cream, herbs, chiles, lime and salt, and it is eaten from a cup with a spoon.

—Alyshia Gálvez

… esquites are creamy and tangy and should become even more flavorful when corn is in season locally.

—Pete Wells

Thankfully, I was able … to take a bite of the esquites I'd ordered as a side for the sandwich. Unlike more one-dimensional, mayonnaise-heavy versions, this street corn was balanced.

—Cheryl Baehr

… the way you make esquites depends on the Mexican state where you are located and the ingredients that you have available. In some versions, one of the important ingredients is called "epazote", which is a fresh herb that creates great flavors when you boil it.

—Charbel Barker

Once you've chosen your corn, you decide whether you want it on the cob, in elote form, or in a bowl, which is known as esquite.

—Lucas Peterson

called also Mexican street corn, street corn

compare elote

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Mexican Spanish, plural of esquite "toasted corn kernel," borrowed from Nahuatl īzquitl "toasted corn kernels"

First Known Use

1984, in the meaning defined above