{"id":1204,"date":"2015-07-23T09:38:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-23T09:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=1204"},"modified":"2015-07-23T09:38:00","modified_gmt":"2015-07-23T09:38:00","slug":"local-corn-native-corn-to-peel-or-not-to-peel-and-other-corn-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=1204","title":{"rendered":"Local Corn? Native Corn? To Peel or Not to Peel? and Other Corn Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sweet Corn from local farms <\/span>is<\/span> the only kind that we buy around here. Over on Chowhound there has been an interesting "Native Corn" discussion<\/a> going on all month. This was triggered by the early appearance of sweet corn in the Boston market.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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For our take on the subject, we're updating some information we ran back in 2010. What was true then is even truer today.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKnee high by the Fourth of July\u201d is a nice rhyme, but this year some farmers were actually able to bring their golden ears to <\/span>market<\/span> by Independence Day. <\/span><\/span>

<\/span>Early hybrid corn varieties not only extend the corn season, but also <\/span>stay sweeter longer<\/span><\/a><\/span> than the heirloom versions.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

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Great Varieties with Great Names<\/strong><\/span>
Ask about the variety of sweet corn a farmer is selling. That way you\u2019ll begin to develop your own "favorites list." Look for these in local markets: Honey & Cream, Silver Queen, Sugar & Butter, Sundance, Sugar Buns, and Early Sunglow.<\/span><\/p>\n

And, if you find one with \u201cMirai\u201d in it\u2019s name, grab it. It\u2019s rare, but Penny says it\u2019s one of the best she\u2019s ever tasted.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To Tear or Not to Tear<\/strong><\/span>
One Cape Cod farm where we buy corn has a sign that reads, \u201cSweet corn 50\u00a2 an ear, tear the husk and it\u2019s $2 an ear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to tear down the husk and make part of the farmer\u2019s crop unsaleable to buy great sweet corn.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Look for corn that has moist, dark-brown, almost sticky silk and a husk that doesn\u2019t feel dry. You can feel the kernels by pressing gently on the husk to determine if the ear is fully developed and plump.<\/span><\/p>\n

Corn should not be peeled down until just before you\u2019re ready to drop it into a steaming cook pot.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do you have a sweet corn question? If so add your sweet corn thoughts or questions in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest<\/a> or send us an email<\/a>. We'll talk to our favorite farmers and try to get an answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Links: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cooking Sweet Corn: Microwave, Grilling, and Elote!<\/a><\/span>
Penny\u2019s Corn & Potato Salad<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n


<\/span>Penny\u2019s weapon of choice for working with corn is her favorite Shun Santoku Knife. But, if you like gadgets, they make a lot of them for sweet corn<\/span><\/em><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n