Corundas

Maseca option:

1. In a large mixing bowl, add the masa harina, and salt and whisk together. Slowly pour in the warm water and mix it in using your hands to form masa until it is the consistency of play-dough. Cover and set aside.
2. Whip the softened vegetable shortening with a whisk or an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy. Next, add in the baking powder and mix until combined.
3. Add the masa and mix with your hands until well incorporated. Next, add the finely diced veggies into the mix. (Skip down to assemble directions)

Dried Maize option:

1. Boil a large pot of water to cook the dried maize.  Add 2 tbsp of Cal powder and simmer on low for 1 hour or until the skin of the maize begins peeling off.
2. Take off the heat, drain, and let cool off.
3. Wash the maize until most of the skins fall off.
4. The maize is then added to a mill (molino) to grind it up into masa (dough). In Mexico we typically walk it over to a tortilla place that has a molino.
5. In a large mixing bowl, whip the softened vegetable shortening with a whisk or an electric mixer until it is light and fluffy. Next, add in the baking powder and mix until combined.
6. Add the masa into the large mixing bowl and add in the vegetable shortening or oil as well as the diced vegetables.

Assemble

1. Cut the green corn leaves to be about 2-3 inches wide and 20 inches long strips. Hold one end, twist the strip into a cone shape, and keep it together in the palm of your hand.
2. Grab about  1/2 cup of dough into the cone and pack it into the pointed part. Fold the long portion of the leaf over top to cover the dough.
3. Continue folding the leaf over the dough to form a triangle shape or star shape. Tuck the last flap of the leaf under another part of the leaf, then transfer the corunda to a plate while you make the rest.

Steam

1. Add 4 cups of water to the bottom of a large stockpot. Place a steamer rack inside and cover it with a layer of banana leaves. Add the corundas around the steamer until the pot is full.
2. Cover the corundas with another layer of leaves on top and cover the pot. Steam on low-medium heat for about an hour and 15 minutes.
3. After an hour and 15 minutes, take a corunda out. Let it rest for a few seconds, and unwrap the leaf. If the center is spongy, they are ready. If the dough is still sticky and soft, re-wrap the corunda and continue steaming for an additional 15 minutes.
4. When the corundas are done steaming, remove them from the pot and let them rest for 10 minutes. Serve warm with salsa, crema, and queso fresco on top.