Well, for sure, Kansas has lots of corn… but is it “corny?” Where’d that come from? Never one to pass up an etymological riddle, I knew just who to ask: “the Google” knows all, tells all. And if you care to do the homework, there’s a market buck in it for ya. I’ll give you two clues for free: jazz, and seed catalogs.
**An additional buck for a suitably corny joke.
Lucky for us here in Lansdowne, August is all about the real deal…the long green… corn on the cob. Boiled, steamed or roasted…actually sweet and tender enough to eat right off the stalk. Serve it up with butter and salt, or maybe try it my way, with a shmear of basil pesto. But don’t get too fancy. Corn is more come-as-you-are than haute cuisine. Unless of course, you’re eating with etiquette maven Emily Post; then rules…lots of rules…apply. So you might want to either brush up on your buttering skills, or just leave Emily off your guest list. Or risk getting… ahem…an earful! Sorry not sorry.
I remember when all corn was yellow…then Silver Queen entered the field and the great corn debate ensued…until someone brought the two of them together, combining the best of both worlds. Today, most of the corn available at market stalls is the bi-color variety…with names like Ambrosia, Latte and Sweetness, they sound good enough to eat…see what they did there? And bi-color corn retains it sweetness for up to 10 days…so buy some extra for later in the week. I’ve had a chance to chomp both Herrcastle and Fruitwood fare, (hey, it’s part of the job) so I can attest to the fact that there’s more than a kernel of truth here. Sorry, I couldn’t leave that on the table.
Corn can also be frozen right on the cob, so when the price is right, and you’ve got freezer space, buy a bushel.
But save some room in your budget…Here’s the rundown for the week:
Big Sky Bread, Fruitwood Farms, Herrcastle Farm, Mitchell & Mitchell Wines, MyHouse Cookies and Pies, Potato Homestead, Wilson’s Curiously Good Foods, Dock Street Beer, Kia’s Cakes, Solrig Farm, Taste of Puebla, The Pure Truth Culinary Services, The YMCA
Mea Culpa: In last week’s tomato treatise I neglected to give a mention to Potato Homestead. Don’t let the name fool you…they also have a lovely crop of tomatoes this season…as well as onions, kohlrabi and, of course, potatoes.
In the Music Tent : The uber-coolGray Dog Down duo: Kim Robson and Russell Ferarra. Come sit at the Landing and mellow out.
Artist of the Week: Mary’s perfectly imperfect McTylds Beads go with whatever you’re wearing.
Health and Beauty: Love Naturally: Natural skin care lotion, soaps, and bath salts.
Don’t forget to drop the little ’uns off at the YMCA tent.
Note: We are now officially in the dog days of August…which, if you were living by the ancient Roman calendar, meant the hottest days of the summer…July 24 to August 24. So find your cool and happy place, and make plans to spend lots of time there.
Stay hydrated, my friends.
See you at the LFM!
Terry