Meaning of algodoncillo by John Rene Plaut

ALGODONCILLO in Mexico inga jinicuil the name synonym Nahuatl cuahuxinicuile or xonecuille, derive from cuauhicxi necuilli, from cuahuitl, tree; icxitl, foot and necuilli, crooked, means therefore CROOKED FOOT, by the twisted of the sheath that contains the fruits. Fruit in the form of a pod, of the legume family, of green color, of 30 or more cms. This pod contains oval green seeds, similar to beans, surrounded by a kind of very sweet velvety cotton that is tasted as a treat. It is found in warm regions of Mexico; mainly in Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Morelos, Guerrero, San Luis Potosí, Michoacán and Sinaloa; where coffee is grown is used as a mother tree to shade such shrubs. It is sold in tied lots of pods. The best-known species is Inga jinicuil; other varieties are consumed such as: Inga spuria , Inga edulis , Inga eriocarpa , Inga leptoloba , Inga lindeniana , Inga pavoniana , Inga pinetorum , Inga punctata , Inga spuria , Inga vera . In central Veracruz and other states, green seeds are baked in brine to eat as a snack or ground and with the puree tacos or enchiladas are stuffed; It is also used to give consistency to zucchini or greenish stews. The seeds are roasted to serve as a treat with ground chili pepper and salt; sometimes they are used dry and toasted to make mole in the region inhabited by the Totonacs of the coast of Veracruz. Other times greens are used as a vegetable in beef broths.