Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday this year, making it the perfect excuse to invite your nieces and nephews over for a special fiesta. Whether you’re having a barbeque in the backyard or hosting a slumber party for young nieces and nephews, there are lots of Latin finger foods that are kid-friendly and easy to prepare with your nieces and nephews. They’ll be perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo and enjoying Latin flavors all year round!

Many Latin foods are naturally appealing to kids and perfect for small fingers to pick up. Avocados can be eaten with a spoon, or transformed into guacamole. Black beans can be served in a small bowl like nuts or converted into a flavorful black bean dip. Corn can be enjoyed on the cob - and made adventurous with the addition of new flavors - or in kernels for salads or sautés. Tortillas transform all sorts of flavors into foods that can be eaten with the hands - something that nieces and nephews love! Your nieces and nephews can participate in all kinds of tasks to prepare a Cinco de Mayo feast including mashing, slicing, stirring, squeezing, and seasoning.

One of my favorite dishes that nieces and nephews will adore is Elotes, Mexican corn served on the cob. The first time I was introduced to this dish by a friend from Mexico, I was skeptical about combining the combination of ingredients onto one of my favorite foods. But after my first bite, I was in love, and your nieces and nephews will feel the same! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Elotes (Mexican Corn-on-the-Cob)

4 ears of corn
4 bamboo skewers
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
½ cup Mexican queso fresco or Cotija, grated or crumbled
4 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)
Kosher salt or sea salt to taste
Optional: chili powder

Adult tasks:

Break each cob in half. Put a steamer basket in a large, wide pot (that has a tightly fitting lid), and fill it with a few inches of water. Arrange the corn in the steamer basket so that it’s not overcrowded. Cover and steam the corn over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes or until the corn is bright yellow and tender. (If you have access to a grill, you can grill the corn instead for a nice char.) Let the corn cool down for a few minutes before handling it.

If the cobs are still warm, grab them with a clean dish towel. Drive a bamboo skewer into the wide end of each cob, so that you can hold it without touching the kernels. (Or you can use corn-on-the-cob holders.)

Nieces and Nephews Age 4 and up:

With a butter knife, spread approximately 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise onto each cob, coating the kernels generously and evenly.

Nieces and Nephews Age 2 and up:

Spread cheese on a flat plate or cutting board and roll each cob in about 1-2 tablespoons of cheese, gently pressing the cheese into the mayonnaise. Squeeze about 1 teaspoon of lime juice over each cob. Sprinkle salt (and chili powder, if you’re using it) over each cob.

Helpful tips:

-Arrange a “dipping” bar with each ingredient so that each family member can customize his or her own cob.
-For nieces and nephews who don’t like mayonnaise, use butter instead, but keep in mind that the cheese won’t adhere to the butter as well as it does to mayonnaise.
-If you can’t find Mexican cheese, substitute grated Monterey jack or Parmesan cheese.
-Steaming and grilling are two healthy cooking techniques that result in great flavor, but you can also boil the corn.
-Serve immediately. This dish is not meant for storing.

Prep time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4

Recipes from Easy Meals to Cook with Kids by Julie Negrin © 2010

Photo: artemisphoto
Published: April 30, 2012