Pools, sunscreen, watermelon, barbecues, Gizdich pies, corn on the cob…all of these just scream summer! We’re lucky to live here on the Peninsula, where most of the foods we associate with summer are just being harvested and delivered – sometimes in the same day – just in time for your family BBQ.
One of my favorites is fresh-picked corn. How can you say no to a steaming ear of corn with melted butter and dashes of salt and pepper? How about a fresh corn salsa to pile on top of a perfectly grilled and seasoned flank steak? Grill it, boil it, braise it, cream it, slice it off the cob…there are endless ways to enjoy fresh corn!
It’s best to eat corn the same day it’s picked – that’s when it’s sweetest! Just as with asparagus, the sugars in corn begin to convert to starch once it’s harvested, so the sooner you eat it, the sweeter and more tender it’ll be.
In general, white corn is more tender and sweet than yellow corn, which has a more chewy texture and hardy corn flavor. My Uncle Carmelo remembers when white corn was a rare find in markets; it wasn’t until the 1970s that the demand for white corn grew and farmers began planting more white than yellow. Until that time, yellow corn was the norm – Golden Bantam was popular in the 1950s and Golden Jubilee was the rage in the late 1960s.
Corn is a good source of many nutrients. As anyone who remembers their elementary history class knows, corn (better known then as maize) was one of the main staples of civilization in early America. It’s among the oldest and most versatile foods and it’s used for everything from summer BBQ fare to tortillas, chips, cereals and corn meal.
Corn is a good source of protein, potassium, fiber and good carbohydrates. It’s also a good source of vitamin C and B vitamins, such as Riboflavin, a B 2 that is important to energy metabolism (processing nutrients like carbohydrates to a form of energy that the body can use). A medium size ear of corn has about 80 calories and 1 gram of fat.
Scroll down to find a few of our favorite serving suggestions for corn. Our favorite, of course, is still simply boiled or grilled and slathered with butter and salt. Yum!
Esquites ~ Mexican Street Corn Salad
If you love elotes – and really, who doesn’t – then you’ll love this salad. We use our smoky chipotle oil to add another layer of flavor and a little heat to the dish, too. This is a great side for Taco Tuesday!
Sumer Risotto with White Corn, Tomatoes and Garlic Oil
Corn and tomatoes are almost a required combination in summer. The two together can make salsas, salads, soups, risottos and more. Add in a little basil and cheese to the mix and you have a flavor combination made in heaven! This risotto is hearty yet bursting with fresh ingredients.
Grilled or Boiled Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Butter
For an impressive presentation: Peel back the husk – don’t remove it – to remove the silk. Pull the peeled husk down to the bottom, creating a handle. Take one of the outer husk leaves off and trim it to a thin strip. Use the strip to tie the peeled back husks together with a bow. Below are cooking suggestions and a few fancy butter spreads that add fantastic flavor to corn on the cob. Each ingredient combination is enough for about 4 ears of corn.
Summer Sweet Corn, Tomato and Avocado Salad with a Garlic, Lime & Jalapeño Vinaigrette
Summer in a salad! This is fresh, flavorful and perfect with fish or on its own. There is a nice heat from the jalapeños, and you can add more if you wish.
Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado and Cilantro-Lime Dressing
This salad is fresh, crisp and flavorful, not to mention simple, healthy and delicious. It’s fantastic as a side salad, a topper for fish tacos, shrimp quesadillas or even over greens. Introduce another layer of flavor by choosing from one of our infused oils. Make it dairy-free by leaving off the cheese. Serves 4.
Smoky Corn & Zucchini Pancakes with Anaheim Peppers and White Cheddar Cheese
These savory pancakes, with a smoky-flavored twist, are perfect for any meal or even as an appetizer with chilled white wine. Serve with eggs, sunny-side up, or with a couple dollops of sour cream. Inspired by Fine Cooking. Serves 4 to 8.
Corn Chowder with Hatch Chiles, Bacon and Cilantro & Roasted Onion Infused Olive Oil
This is a hearty, dairy-free chowder that’s great any time of the year. Including the cobs infuses even more corn flavor into the chowder. The drizzle of our roasted onion & cilantro infused olive oil adds a nice savory flavor to the dish. Serves about 4.
Carmelo Sigona emigrated in 1912 from Sicily, bringing with him the tradition of making his own wine. His grandson and namesake, Carmelo Sigona, co-owner of Sigona's Farmers Market, has fond memories of his grandfather making wine and serving it at family meals on Sundays. After years of wanting to make his own wine just like Grandpa Sigona, present-day Carmelo has finally made his dreams come true. Tune in for more.
Nothing is more rewarding to Rob Sigona, our passionate produce buyer, than taking a road trip to visit one of Sigona's favorite farmers.
About a five hour drive from the Bay Area, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, is the town of Springville. There you will find a place seemingly untouched by time; a place called home to orange grower Ron Matik of Pleasant Oaks Ranch.
Since 1984 Ron has grown some of the best heirloom navel oranges in the state, if not the world: the heirloom Washington Navel.
"I have yet to taste an orange that is better than ours,” says Matik. “Maybe some with the same sweetness, but never better.”
And Sigona's agrees!
Heirloom Washington Navels are the variety that got the whole California citrus market booming all those years ago. It takes special attention from the farmer to tend to the soil and the variety to produce such outstanding fruit.
"Small farmers, such as Ron, are a dwindling breed,” says Rob Sigona. “They’re passionate caretakers of the the land that produce exceptional quality; they are the rare gems."
It is an achievement to find such great tasting oranges to bring in for our customers. We are excited to announce we’ll get a load of specially picked and packed heirloom Washington Navels in our store this week, delivered directly from Pleasant Oaks Ranch.
So, come on by Sigona's to enjoy a slice of California’s prized history…for FREE! You can get a bag of free Pleasant Oaks Ranch oranges starting today through March 5th with your coupon when you spend $30 or more in the store.
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A Tale of Two Carmelos and their love of Zinfandel
