Huitlacoche

Last weekend I was feeling particularly adventurous at the Supermarket and picked up a package of Huitlacoche (also known as Cuitlachoche, corn smut or Mexican truffles).  I had read somewhere that the fungus is a tasty treat when cooked with shallots, garlic and butter, just like cooking mushrooms.  I was totally going to give it a go.

Essentially this stuff is a fungus that grows on ears of corn.  Sounds pretty good if you like mushrooms.  Based on my research this gourmet delight is so popular it can be found among the canned products in supermarkets.  Well, lets just say that since Saturday I have had a change of heart and the stuff just looks scary and nasty!  Once I work out the pronunciation (or perhaps I should just write it down on a piece of paper) I will quiz some Mexican natives about it and work out whether I should summon the courage to try it.