First deliveries of English sweetcorn have just hit the Market, sweet from all this gorgeous sunshine.
Key Facts
Sweetcorn is one of the classic summer crops, but not easy to grow in our climate as it craves plenty of light. Modern F1 hybrids of the plant have helped British growers, as they ripen more early. Commercial production is focussed on areas of the country that receive most hours of sun.
The sweetcorn plant is notable in terms of pollination, which relies on the the wind rather than flying insects. The plants bear both the male and female parts. You may have seen the stringy bits of the plant hanging down when it is young. These ‘silks’ are the female parts, and each ones require pollination from the male pollen above. Commercial crops tend to be fleeced in spring and harvested from July to September.
Uses in the Kitchen
Salsas are increasingly popular these days. Fritters are another item that looks great on a menu. Peruvian food is on-trend these days, and corn – roasted, steamed or pureed – is a key ingredient. Corn with cumin and lime and is a classic Peruvian street food snack. More traditional uses include in seafood chowders. But, of course, in the home kitchen nothing beats fresh cobs of corn steamed to perfection – perhaps with a squeeze of lime and sprinkle of chilli.
