1. 1. La Palapa

   77 St. Marks Pl., nr. First Ave.; 212-777-2537

   Huitlacoche, a fungus that infects sweet corn, is an improbable Mexican delicacy and the centerpiece of a festival that runs from August 15 through August 20. Typically, the stuff is imported from Mexico frozen or canned; here, it’s grown organically in Massachusetts.

2. 2. Zócalo

   174 E. 82nd St., nr. Third Ave.; 212-717-7772

   For his second annual corn festival, August 18 through August 25, chef Julian Medina—reared in Mexico, trained in France—features dishes like chile-mayo-slathered cobs, blue-corn huaraches, and sweet-corn sorbet.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Rob Patronite | Robin Raisfeld
• Table of Contents: Aug 21, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!