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 Atole de Maiz
This corn porridge is derived from the
Maya and is a hot drink that surprisingly
enough, can be refreshing! It is
deliciously sweet and satisfying and can
be bought from the street vendors
across from Harry’s Hot Dogs.
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Corn Atole, pronounced (ah-TOHleh)
is one of Belize’s rich and very
popular delicacies sure to quench your
thirst on the hot sunny days. This porridge
is derived from the Maya and
today their traditional hot drink is considered
a very refreshing and healthy
food. The drink is so popular in Belize
that it can be found in most places sold
in a cup. The Creole people also are
very familiar with the drink, which they
call “caan lab”. The Aztecs and Mayas
adored it and today’s new generations
feed daily from it. The food (corn) that
used to be a cause of celebration for
pre-Hispanic gods, is still being enjoyed
by Latinos through tortillas,
empanadas, tamales and many drinks
such as the Atole, which share corn as
the common and main ingredient. Bestowed
with as many names as colors,
corn is known as maize, maíz, elote,
mazorca, jojoto or choclo, and the
dishes and drinks that can be made
from it are not only part of the tradition
of the people of each and every
country of Latin America, but also part
of the daily life of its families.
Now for some Atole de Maiz or
beverage made with corn. To make this
one, you need some fresh young corn,
cinnamon sticks, sugar, condensed milk
and water. First, cut kernels off cob,
then, take a blender or hand mill and
blend finely. Add water to mixture and
strain with a colander or cloth so as to
collect the rich milky juice from the
thrash. In a separate pot, boil water
and add the cinnamon sticks and plenty
sugar to it. Wait until water boils and
then add the milky corn juice to water.
Stir mixture continuously for 20 to 25
minutes or until the mixture thickens.
Then, add condensed milk to the porridge
and enjoy a hot corn drink. If you
prefer, you could purchase a cup of this
rich drink at the local fruit and veggies
stall located in the heart of town, in front
of Harry’s hotdogs on Pescador Drive.
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