Some are Bodacious, others Delectable, there’s Silver Queen and Peaches n’ Cream—these are just a few of the varieties of sweet corn you might find at our Clark County Farmers Market on Saturday. Vendors of the Winchester/Clark County Farmers Market will be celebrating with a garden party at our location on South Main Street at the Bluegrass Heritage Museum.
As you join us for food, fun and festivities, be sure to shop for our locally grown produce. Corn is being harvested now by our local producers. When selecting corn, make sure the husks are green, tight and fresh-looking. Pull the husk back to make sure the ear contains tightly packed rows of plump kernels. The kernels should be smaller at the tip of the ear and milky when pierced. Large kernels indicate over-maturity. Corn should be stored in a cool area. Warmth causes the sugar content of corn to be converted into starch. This is what caused the ears to become less sweet.
The sooner you cook corn, the better. If you will not be cooking corn soon after purchasing or picking, you should store it in the refrigerator. Refrigeration helps the corn retain its sugar and vitamin C content. Keeping the corn in the husk will also help retain moisture; if possible leave it in the husk until ready to cook.
To capture the fresh taste of corn, try this fresh corn salad:
5 ears of fresh corn
½ cup diced red onion
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup freshly chopped basil
Shuck and remove silks from corn. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the corn for four minutes. Drain. Cool by immersing in ice water. When corn has cooled, cut the kernels off the cob. Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the red onion. Combine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour over the corn and gently toss. Chill to allow the flavors to blend. Just before serving add the fresh basil.
Yield: 10, ½ cup servings.
Nutritional analysis: 70 calories, 5 g fat, 101 mg sodium, 10 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 1 g fiber.
For more recipes, canning and freezing publications and taste testing visit with me at the Winchester/Clark County Farmers Market Saturday at our garden party,
