When I was young and my family still lived in Los Angeles, we'd make the drive from Eagle Rock to Woodland Hills to visit my grandma Bunny about once a month. My dad's brothers would arrive with their families, filling the driveway with cars, dogs and kids. The musicians would settle down to the serious business of jamming, while Bunny listened, occasionally added a harmony line and took care of dinner. During the summer months, she would buy dozens of ears of corn and it would be my job to help her with the husking. We'd sit outside at a picnic table, a paper grocery bag from Ralph's between us and we shuck away. I can't make corn on the cob without thinking of her.
Over the weekend, I bought some corn at the farmers market and last night I gave it a quick steam. I was the only one eating, but I boiled all I had, because while I love it buttered and hot, straight off the cob, I also am a big fan of fresh corn on salads. What I couldn't eat was sliced off the cob and is now waiting in the fridge to be tossed with some arugula and Lancaster county tomatoes. Oh, but it was good on the cob. Sweet and crunchy and tasting of the essence of summer.
May is National BBQ Month and National Hamburger Month
Cupcakes, not for dessert (unless beef is your idea of a treat)
Because eating French Fries in the car is so tough
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-14-2007 @ 12:51AM
rainey Smith said...
Bet the corn came from Tapia on Havenhurst & Burbank. They've still got great corn, tomatoes and strawberries but now they've got competition from Pierce College which is in the second year of a large veggie stand on the corner of Victory & DeSoto.
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8-14-2007 @ 3:55PM
wynk said...
Man, now I'm inspired to make some roasted corn this week. Yuuummm.
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8-14-2007 @ 5:11PM
John Henderson said...
Mmm. My friend showed me the wonders of peppering the corn up with Cajun Seasoning instead of pepper. Nom noms!
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8-14-2007 @ 8:44PM
geeky said...
rainey Smith:
I live near those areas you speak of but never knew of them. I think I may stop by one day. Thanks!
John Henderson:
Slap Ya Mama is very good Cajun seasoning. Excellent on corn.
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8-14-2007 @ 10:10PM
patrad said...
I like lemon pepper myself . .
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8-14-2007 @ 11:56PM
bdw said...
We had about an eighth of an acre in sweet corn. During the summer, my mother (the local schoolmarm) would gather it and sell it and the other products of my father's truck farm at a stand in front of our house. My job was to shuck the stuff (and prep the other vegetables) for dinner; as I grew older I took on more responsibilities.
Yeah, they were hillbillies, but they both had advanced degrees. Think Jed Clampett with a college education.
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8-15-2007 @ 2:02AM
Suzanne said...
Have you tried roasting corn still in the husk on a grill or fire? Leave the silk and all, and put it right over the coals for about 5 minutes then turn for five more. It gets a roasty smoky flavor that is sooooo good. The husk will char but peels back easily.
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8-15-2007 @ 11:46AM
wynk said...
yeah, that is how we do it, although I've always removed the silk. There is nothing like corn roasted over a fire.
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8-19-2007 @ 8:01PM
Melissa said...
I remember one hot summer's day, when I was a little girl, going for a ride in the car with my family. My father pulled the car over on a not so well traveled country road. He quickly grabbed some corn from their stalks and ran to the car with his arms full. I know it was a wrong. My father would get laid off a lot from his job working in a factory, usually in the summer. We were poor. He liked to eat his corn by slathering on bacon grease. This was the best corn ever (I liked mine with butter)! As Rachael Ray would say...YUMMO!
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