This is a wonderful beverage made from toasted ground corn sweetened with sugar or piloncillo. You can find it prepared, already ground and ready to be mixed with water or milk. Additional flavors vary depending on the region and include anise, oatmeal, allspice, chocolate, and cinnamon, the most common. It is a very tasty, refreshing, and energizing drink, especially when served cold.

　　

Ingredients

makes 3 to 4 cups

　　12 ounces dried white corn kernels (don’t use the kind for popcorn)

　　1 (3-inch) piece canela

　　6 ounces piloncillo, finely chopped, or 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

　　

Step 1

Rinse the corn kernels under cold water and drain. Dry completely with a towel, and then toast in a skillet or comal over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they have changed color and smell a bit nutty but not burned. Once they are cool, grind in a food processor together with the canela and piloncillo (you can also leave out the sweetener and add it later when you make the drink). Store in an airtight container in a dry, cool area and simply mix with water or milk when desired, using 4 to 6 tablespoons of pinole per 1 cup liquid.

　　

Ponteduro

Step 2

Ponteduro is the name of a sweet, crumbly candy made from pinole and honey and cut into squares.

　　Reprinted with permission from My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats © 2010 by Fany Gerson. Photographs by Ed Anderson. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House.Buy the full book from Penguin Random House, Amazon, or Bookshop.