Now growing corn in Virginia is hardly newsworthy in the Country where it is the main crop. However, after two previously unfruitful attempts, that included not getting a stalk never mind a cob, we were pleased to see two healthy rows of corn complete with cobs. I initially spent some time watching over them, as one does with a new born, but a freshening cow and a plethora of new rescue horses drew me away; watching paint dry might be more rewarding than watching corn ripening, but it is a close call! So imagine my disappointment on returning to the corn rows, expecting to see bounteous fruits ready for picking, only to see some of these:
Aghast, I call on our chief researcher (Jorg) to identify the offending horror, and find out what new blight has descended on our veggie plot. This year the rain has been the main offender, as many of the bugs of previous years seem to be in limited numbers, and rain it seems unleashed this fungus on the corn. Huitlacoche, pronounced WEET-LA-KO-CHEE is well know in Mexico, and by corn growers all over North America. The latter have been trying to eradicate it, without success, for many years. The Mexicans, however, love it, and the article in the link under my photo gives a number of good nutritional reasons to try it. It also transpires that a crop of "corn smut" sells way over the price of regular corn!
Well, Jorg and I have always been willing to try new dishes, and as huitlacoche is supposed to be packed with lysine a nourishing meal of corn smut is on the cards. We'll let you know how it goes, but that evil looking corn cob might just have a saving grace.
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