For those of you who know me you won’t be surprised at my excitement. I found sweet corn! And in Austria of all places. I freely admit I am a corn snob and connoisseur. I adore sweet corn and I miss it a lot, living in Italy. They grow a lot of corn for animal feed and to make polenta, It is the same in most of Europe. They only grow it as animal food. But not for humans to eat. When I have seen any it has been picked for so long all its sweet juices have turned to starch. I don’t normally even try it if I do see it anymore.
One year I borrowed a friends land to try to grow my own. I had brought seeds from the US, three different kinds. I was moderately successful. Here is the culmination of my quest that year in my post called Corn. That same year I also tried “container corn” on our terrace. Sadly that was not so successful. Post on the Terrace Corn.
Anyway, yesterday we made the trip to the farmers market and there was corn! I took a chance and bought three ears. As everything in this country, it was the neatest, tidiest corn I have ever seen. Not a tassel in sight. Here are pictures.
My report is positive. It was very fresh, sweet and juicy. Maybe not “quite” up to US standards, but close enough and we devoured it with our meal las night
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Starting to head into the homestretch of this, too long, stay in Austria. I miss my home and my messy Italy. Next week we head back.
Thank you James, I subscribe to David Leibovitz website and he is a proponent of this method. I will try it if I ever get corn on the cob again 🙂
Nancy, how long are you back for? I love Spanish food. I do like Portuguese too. Italy wins though!
The perfect way to cook corn on the cob: put 2 ears with the leaves on in a microwave and cook for 8 minutes on high. Take them out, letting them steam for a moment in their husks. then cut the large end of the cob and a perfectly cooked cob will slide right onto your plate!!!!
Yes. We came back with one of our daughters a and her kids. They had never traveled internationally, so support seemed a good idea. I truly believe Italy and Portugal have the best food . France has delicious food, too, but those two countries are my favorite. Have a good trip back! I hope Umbertide is cooling off soon!
Nancy, I didn’t know you were back in the states? Your family left and so did you? I am in Austria and the food here is definitely not of the quality I am used to.
If they try the gross garbage in the stores maybe they aren’t so willing to try again, too. I just had a US fig this morning for our first breakfast back in the states. Lovely cardboard flavor although it looked beautiful. The figs we had at home lasted no more than 2 days because they were so ready, and I’ve never eaten better. Looking forward to my yummy foods when I get back!
Hahaha Matt. No way Jose. But I’m enjoying it while I can.
Hey Nancy, sad but true. I don’t know if it is just they never grew or new, or had sweet corn. I know everyone I ever introduced the corn to here has loved it. David Leibovitz has a partner in Paris who is completely smitten. If they ever taste they love it.
Congratulations!! I DO know how much you love sweet corn. Does this mean you’re moving to Austria? 😉
That was a fun surprise! I miss fresh corn kernels in summer salads. It’s strange to me that Europeans love potatoes but have no interest in corn!