Sopa de Maíz

Corn, which the Taino people called mahiz, probably first came to Cuba through trade with the Maya of the Yucatán Peninsula several thousand years ago. Though it was not as important as yuca, their principal staple, the native peoples of Cuba cultivated corn along with beans, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and hot chiles. Since those early days, Cubans have celebrated the harvest of the first sweet, tender young ears with special dishes like this fresh corn chowder.