Market Snack · Corn Masa Tamale

Chuchitos

📷 Closely related photo — Photo via Pexels/Unsplash — free for commercial use

Their name literally translates to "little puppies" in local slang — nobody's entirely sure why, but the diminutive name has stuck for generations.

Chuchitos are small tamales of firm corn masa filled with seasoned pork or chicken in a mild tomato sauce, wrapped tightly in a dried corn husk and steamed until set. Market and street stalls sell them hot.

Why it's made this way: The dish traces back to Maya traditions of wrapping and steaming corn dough in husks, layered with Spanish and African culinary influences.