cuit·la·co·che (kw ēt ′lä-k ōch ā) also huit·la·co·che (w ēt ′-)
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n. A fungus (Ustilago maydis) that infects corn, producing silvery, swollen growths that take the place of kernels. The growths have a smoky-sweet flavor and are sometimes harvested and used in Mexican cooking. Also called corn smut, Mexican truffle.
[Mexican Spanish cuitlacoche, huitlacoche, from Nahuatl cuitlacochtli : cuitlatl, excrement (from Proto-Uto-Aztecan *kwita; compare Hopi kwita and O'odham bīt, excrement) + cochtli, of unknown meaning.] (click for a larger image) cuitlacocheUstilago maydis |