East Broadway's Undiscovered Desserts

Recently spurred on by an advertisement in the window of Restaurante Montecristo that featured “Atol de Elote,” we struck out to find out more about what this delicious central american treat might be! The traditions of East Somerville and the East Broadway Business District are as diverse as the people who live here, visiting and living in the area is a process of constantly learning, and that’s one of the reasons people love it here!

Atol de Elote dons from El Salvador, where much of the cuisine finds its roots in Mayan and Spanish foods. Salvadoran food is often rich in local produce such as corn, beans, squash and tomatoes, with the most popular being pupusas, hand made corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, meats or vegetables (if you haven’t relished a pupusa, we’d highly recommend it, as these wonderful little stuffed tortilla can make anyone’s day!).

There are other less talked about but equally tasty ways the Salavadorans have learned to use corn, and that’s where we come to Atol de Elote, which turns out to be a delicious dessert drink. Atols are a type of thick drink, rooted in Mayan culture, that are often eaten with a spoon! Atols can featured any ingredient, not just Elote( orn), but while there are many variations on this tasty treat Atol de Elote is among the most popular. Served hot, it is a mixture of white and yellow corn, sugar, corn starch and cinnamon.

Traditionally Atol de Elote is served in handmade bowls carved by local artisans. Practiced Latin American artists are able to complete an entire bowl in just a few minutes. While these homemade bowls are not as popular in America, the drink is still as tasty.

There are multiple El Salvadorian restaurants in East Somerville and I highly recommend you test out this delicious treat.

As a follow up on this post we will be researching the story behind the giant Brazilian Easter Eggs, as well as zeppole, a traditional dessert made just for St. Joseph’s Day -- and why you shouldn’t go to Patsy’s Pastry on March 19^thunless you want zeppole!