Delicious Sweet Corn

Yes, summer is fading, but great corn dishes are the perfect start to fall.

By Khalil Hymore

School is back in session and summer vacations are becoming a distant memory, but you can still nosh on some summer flavor in September 'cause it is peak corn season! Though available year round, and all summer, sweet corn really comes into it's own right about now. Most folks have access to two varieties--white and yellow. White corn tends to be a bit sweeter and more tender, perfect for simply steaming and sautéing, while yellow corn is larger and more starchy, making it great for chowders and corn custards.

Earlier this week, I shared a recipe for spicy and delicious Elote (Mexican Corn on the Cob), which is apropos since it is widely believed that early corn cultivation began in that region. Be sure to make extra, because it makes great leftovers:

• Salsa & Relish - For a super quick and easy appetizer slice the corn on the ears of the Elote and use it to make this great corn salsa from the blog Cucina Panzano or make a yummy corn relish, the perfect accompaniment to grilled flank steak, from Country Living.
  

• Quick Gazpacho Soup - For a super quick lunch that will make your co-workers jealous, stir the Elote corn kernels into a chilled bowl of store-bought tomato soup (skip the canned stuff though--way too much sodium!) top with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped cilantro.
  

• Salad - You could simply serve the kernels over a lovely bed of salad greens, like I have been doing with my leftovers, or you could get really creative and try this tomato, corn, and avocado salad from Everyday Food

• Side Dish - The other night for dinner, I served the leftover corn (quickly sautéed in some butter and garnished with chopped scallions) with a roasted chicken. I had disguised the leftovers so well, Scott didn't even recognize them!

How ever you enjoy eating your sweet corn (cold, standing over the sink in your kitchen, perhaps?) be sure to utilize in your kitchen now, while it is at it's freshest! Next up? Fall veggies!

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