Corn is king!

Written by Robin Glowa
Tuesday, 16 August 2011 23:00

The first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn, they are saying, ‘let’s stay here.’ And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one another.

— Anne Raver

 

Amongst all the magnificent vegetables of summer, corn is truly king. The succulent sweetness, the crisp crunch, the pleasing shade of yellow or cheery checkerboard of yellow and white, make corn one of the most captivating of seasonal foods.

Considered a sacred food by Central, South and North Americans, corn has long been king in many cultures.

 

Cooks feel a deep reverence for corn and integrate it into many of their summer meals. Steaming hot corn on the cob is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. Just-picked corn is so sweet and tender, you can peel back the husk and pop the kernels right into your mouth. A good test for sweetness and freshness is to pierce a kernel with your fingernail; a little burst of milkiness should spurt out.

Grilled, roasted, boiled, steamed or sautéed, corn is wonderfully versatile. Strip the kernels from the cob to make a compelling chowder, crunchy cornbread, superlative salsa, or salads combined with vegetables, beans grains, and herbs. Some professional chefs are even making sweet corn ice cream.

Not only is corn amazingly tasty, it is full of fantastic health benefits. An excellent source of Vitamin C, corn also contains a significant amount of fiber, which contributes to good digestive health.

Corn is full of protein and can help stabilize blood sugar in the body.

When purchasing fresh corn at the farmstand, look for husks that appear fresh and green, not dried out. Fresh corn is best consumed the same day as purchased, but you can store it in the refrigerator for a couple of days without dimising the superior flavor.

Enjoy plenty of corn this summer and be king of your own delicious life.

Robin Glowa, HHC, AADP, is a food and wellness enthusiast who earned her certification in holistic health counseling from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Columbia University Teachers College.

She specializes in teaching healthy cooking classes for children and adults, as well as cooking presentations and wellness workshops for many local organizations.

 

Spicy King Corn

6-8 ears of fresh corn

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 lime, cut into wedges

1 cup finely grated manchego cheese (a Spanish cheese available in most supermarkets)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest

1 cup chopped fresh cherry tomatoes

1-2 cups canned organic black beans, rinsed and drained

 

Shuck corn and cut kernels off the cob. Heat olive oil and butter in a sauté pan. Add corn and cook until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Place corn in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients, squeezing lime wedges over everything. Stir gently and serve with grilled shrimp, salmon or chicken.

 

For more information go to theconsciouscook.net, call 203-393-1037, or http://confessionsofaconsciouscook.blogspot.com.

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