· Corn (maize) is a grass that was domesticated in Central America.
· Every kernel has it’s own silk which must be pollinated for it to develop – so next time you get an ear with a little patch of undeveloped kernels you’ll know the reason.
· The sugars in corn begin turning to tasteless starch the moment it is picked which is why the old timers got the water boiling before picking the corn. Modern super sweet and sugar enhanced varieties slow this process down such that it is still pretty good for a few days after picking.
· If you live in an area where corn earworms live, and buy from a local farmer who’s selling pesticide free corn, and it is also worm free, ask him how he accomplished this miracle. If you see a small hole near the silk end of the husk, that’s how the worm got out not in.
· Corn is the number one grain crop, by weight, grown in the world (I would have guessed rice), and the USA grows nearly half of it.
· A high percentage of it is used for something beside human food – such as animal feed, chemicals, plastics, fuel, etc.
· Corn as it now exist has been developed by man and can unlikely exist without mans help – needs lots of water and fertilizer and the seeds will fall in big masses and choke each other out.
We had some tomatoes that needed to be worked up, but not enough for a 7 quart canner run, so earlier in the day, I decided to make them into sauce. I started with 10+ quarts of cut up tomatoes and cooked them until soft. I then juiced them using my standard process and probably had about 5 quarts of juice. I put the juice back in the pot, simmered about 4 hours and ended up with a little over a quart of thick rich sauce – I feel a pasta dish coming on.
Oh and what happened to the corn I shucked – just a rerun of a frequent summertime meal around here.
I'm heading out to do some tree cutting, so have a great day and thanks for stopping by.
Larry
Interesting corn facts! I don't think I knew any of that. One thing I do know is that I can eat it like a racoon. That's one thing we've never grown on the farm because of the irrigation piece. We're strictly dry land farmers. That plate of fresh vegetables looks so good!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone who doesn't love corn. And I could eat tomatoes all day long!
ReplyDeleteYour meal looks good, Larry... I love fresh sweet corn (either on the cob or OFF).... YUM!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd those tomatoes look wonderful. I love yellow tomatoes --and haven't had any in years and years.
Betsy
Thanks Larry, I learned quite few things about corn I didn't know...I would have thought sugar would be the largest by weight.
ReplyDeleteI did tell A.J. about your tree...he's in serious denial!
The plate it beautiful! It just doesn't get much better than that. I can almost taste that familiar summer combination. My dad farmed for most of his life, he will enjoy these corn facts. Can't wait to share them with him. Thanks Larry.
ReplyDeleteGreat corn facts... I learned a few new things. Your summertime meal looks fantastic - those tomatoes are beautiful.
ReplyDelete"If you see a small hole near the silk end of the husk, that’s how the worm got out not in."
ReplyDeleteOh, just great. Now if I DON'T find a small hole near the silk end I am NOT going to want to eat that corn for fear that bugger is still hiding inside.
Loved learning about the corn silks - that makes a lot of sense. I did know corn & soybeans are the largest grain crops in the US, and there is a lot of politics behind this. (don't get me started)
ReplyDeleteLove the photo - corn, okra and tomatoes were born for each other. (and I have baby okras coming on strong in my garden!)