What is "panocha"

also panoche, 1847, from American Spanish panocha "brown sugar," perhaps ultimately from Latin panucula "tuft," diminutive of panus "tuft, swelling; ear of millet" (see panic (n.2)).

n. fudge made with brown sugar and butter and milk and nuts [syn: penuche, penoche, panoche]

Panocha, in New Mexico and southern Colorado, is a pudding made from ground sprouted wheat and piloncillo. It is traditionally eaten during Lent. The sprouted-wheat flour is called "panocha flour" or simply "panocha", as well.

In other regions, "panocha" can mean penuche or panuche.In Spanish slang, it is a taboo word for the vulva, a fact that has led to many deliberate and accidental puns. It can also mean a coward.

In some regions of Spain (e.g. Aragón), una panocha de maiz is an ear of corn.