How can we forget a classic in our daily meals? This is a food that has been part of our history since the pilgrims and it’s very famous at Thanksgiving dinners. Yes, as you may imagine by my title it’s most likely what you are thinking. Corn is a delicious vegetable that many people enjoy because of its delightful taste. In my personal opinion, I think it’s delicious and there are so many ways we can enjoy this delicious food. Your mouth drools when you see that delicious steaming corn coming out of the bowl. You can’t wait to taste it because it looks very tasty. It’s the type of food that goes well with everything you can eat meat, mashed potatoes, rice, and a lot more. Corn comes in different types: dent corn, flint corn, flour corn, sweet corn, and popcorn are all classified based primarily on the texture of the kernels. Dent corn is characterized by a depression in the crown of the kernel caused by uneven drying of the kernel’s hard and soft starch, which is primarily grown for animal feed and food production.
Corn History and Background
According to scientists, people who lived in central Mexico at least 7000 years ago developed corn. It started out as teosinte, a wild grass. Teosinte was quite distinct from our corn of today. The kernels were small and not arranged in close proximity to one another like those on modern corn’s husked ear. Indians in North and South America, also known as maize Indians, eventually relied heavily on this crop for food. Maize spread from Mexico northward into the southwestern United States and southward along the coast all the way to Peru. Corn was brought with Indians about 1,000 years ago when they moved north to the eastern forests of what is now North America. Nowadays we see corn as a basic food we eat on daily basis. We know that corn is healthy and that it has a lot of benefits for us such as vitamin C and protecting our cells from damage and warding off cancer or heart diseases. It’s really good to have it on your diet plus it has a magnificent taste.
Growth and Production of Corn
Corn is a starchy vegetable enjoyed by many people around the world. You may ask yourself how it grows. Corn grows from tall, straight stalks that produce husked ears of tender kernels tufted with silks. The first impression people normally have of corn is that it is the color yellow on the outside, but what they don’t know is that under the husk sweet corn can vary in different colors. Corn is planted in the spring and it grows throughout the summer. The seed, also known as the corn kernel, sprouts once it is planted in the soil and given enough water. The corn tassel blooms and is pollinated by bees or other insects after the corn plant photosynthesizes and grows taller. Lastly, the plant produces corn ears, or fruit, which the farmer can eat.
The majority of states in the United States grow corn, but the Heartland from the Great Plains to Ohio produces the most of it. About one third of the crop in the United States typically comes from Iowa and Illinois, the two leading corn-producing states. Of all of the corn produced in the U.S., 15% is exported. Each year, approximately 90 million acres of corn are planted by farmers in the United States, with the Heartland region producing the majority of the crop. Starch, sweeteners, corn oil, and beverage and industrial alcohols are just a few of the many foods and industrial products made from corn. It is very popular all around the world but it’s mainly consumed and produced in the United States.
Corn has a significant issue: It is not a very long-lasting crop. Farmers are reliant on both irrigation and natural rainfall because corn quickly depletes soil nitrogen and other essential nutrients and requires a lot of water to grow.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob Recipe
LAURA REGE Recipe Developer
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn, shucked, halved if necessary
- 1 c. finely crumbled feta
- 3 tbsp. finely chopped red onion
- 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh basil, plus more for serving
- 1 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 c. full-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp. sweet or smoked paprika
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Working in batches if necessary, in an air-fryer basket, arrange corn in a single layer. Cook at 400°, turning halfway through, until bright yellow and tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix feta, onion, basil, and oregano until well combined.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of yogurt onto each cob, then top with feta mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and garnish with more basil. Serve warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges alongside.
Blog Post By: Cesar Funez
References
Laura Rege Recipe Developer Laura Rege is a Food Stylist and Recipe Developer who regularly contributes recipes and styles videos and photos for Delish. (2022, July 21). Air Fryer greek-inspired street corn is the ultimate snack. Delish. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a39740613/air-fryer-corn-on-the-cob-recipe/
FEEDGRAINS sector at a glance. USDA ERS – Feedgrains Sector at a Glance. (n.d.). Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/corn-and-other-feedgrains/feedgrains-sector-at-a-glance/
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Uses and products. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/corn-plant/Uses-and-products
Geiling, N. (2018, October 2). Is there such a thing as sustainable corn? Modern Farmer. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://modernfarmer.com/2014/06/thing-sustainable-corn/