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Chuchitos

These vegan, Guatemalan chuchitos are a tasty snack on their own or can be eaten as part of a larger meal. This recipe makes 8 smaller ones, a good amount for 2-3 people.
Servings 8 chuchitos

Equipment

  • Steaming basket(s) or colander in large pot

Ingredients

Dough

  • 400 mL maza harina corn flour
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 100 mL canola oil
  • hot water ~200 mL
  • corn husks or aluminum foil

Tomato sauce

  • 6 tomatoes
  • 2 tomatillos optional
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic optional
  • 3 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 3 tbsp pumpkin seeds
  • 2 dried red chilies e.g. guajillo, pasilla
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 230°C
  • Roast tomatoes (whole), onion (peeled), garlic (with skin), and tomatillos (whole, if using) in the oven until they start to blacken, 30-40 min. Turn on grill during the last 5 minutes.
  • While vegetables are roasting, soak corn husks in warm water.
  • Toast sesame seeds and pumpkin seed in a dry pan. Toast one at a time, the smaller sesame seeds risk burning.
  • Deseed and toast the dried chilies in the same pan. They should go darker and start to soften a bit. Soaj in boiling water until ready to use.
  • Prepare the dough by mixing flour, salt and oil. Stir in warm water, a little at a time until dough reaches a smooth texture. 200 mL worked for me. Let rest until vegetables are done.
  • Blend sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds to a coarse powder.
  • When vegetables are roasted, let cool somewhat and add to the blender. Add some of the chili and blend. Taste, add more chili if desired. Add salt to taste. If the sauce seems too lose, you can add some of the dough to help thicken it.
  • Spread a piece of dough thinly on a corn husk or sheet of aluminum foil. Add a thin strip of sauce in the center, fold the dough in to cover the sauce. Fold the corn husk / alumnium foil around the dough. Seal with string or torn strips of corn husk.
    Repeat until you're out of dough.
  • Place all packets in a your steaming basket(s), colander or in a circle in a large pot. Add water and place on the stove. Bring to a boil and let the packets steam for 30-45 min.
  • Enjoy with the sauce.