Stalking the Sweetest Corn of the Season
When Oscar Hammerstein wrote, The corn is as high as an elephants eye / And it looks like its climbin' clear up to the sky, he must've been thinking of September's crop of corn, now available at the Greenmarket.
A staple of the American diet for centuries, corn is as versatile as it is good for you. High in fiber, folate, and vitamin C, there are several hundred varieties of corn, some with beguiling names, such as Honey and Cream, Sugar and Gold, Temptation, Silver Queen, Tuxedo, and Aloha.
There are almost as many ways to prepare corn as there are varieties. Roast it. Grill it. Boil it. Cream it. Deep-fry it. Saute it. Smoke it. Shuck it and eat it raw. Get creative. If youre out of ideas, try your hand at the simple recipe below. However you prepare it, remember that corn is best enjoyed fresh from the farm.
Stop by any of the many Greenmarket stands selling scrumptious September corn to discover why now is the tastiest time for this great grain.
Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
Recipe courtesy of Chef Caroline Fidanza of Diner Restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
6-8 ears of sweet corn, preferably bi-color or white
6 frying peppers (anaheims, mini red bells, banana peppers, etc.), seeded and diced
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
cup olive oil
1 basket cherry tomatoes (halved if large)
Shuck corn and cut kernels off the cob. Place in a large bowl with peppers and scallions.
Combine vinegar, salt, and sugar until dissolved. Dress corn mixture with vinegar blend and then olive oil. Adjust seasonings to taste. Allow to sit for 30 minutes to marry flavors.
Serve sprinkled with cherry tomatoes. For an added treat, serve with crumbled feta cheese and sliced roasted beets.
Greenspeak Word of the Week: 'Grass-Fed'
The diet of grass-fed animals consists only of fresh pasture during the spring-fall season and stored hay during the winter months or drought conditions. The terms "pasture-based" or "grass-based" mean the majority of the animal's diet are grasses, but some grains are supplemented as well.
Insider's Guide to the Greenmarket:
Bring your own bags. Ecology (especially reduced fossil fuels in shipping) is a great reason to shop at farmers markets. Take it one step further by bringing your own shopping bags. Cloth or canvas shoulder bags are especially great because those plastic bag handles can really dig into your hands when you're loaded up with purchases.
New Greenmarket Opens Sunday at StuyTown!
There's a new market in town! Nearly 300 years ago Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch governor of New Amsterdam, farmed the land upon which the eponymous neighborhood now sits, so its only fitting that starting this Sunday farm-fresh foods will be sold on that very site. Featuring fruits, vegetables, honey, pickles, and more, the StuyTown Greenmarket can be found at the Stuyvesant Town Oval, nearest the 14th Street loop at Avenue A. Come on by any time between 9:30AM and 4:00PM and bring the finest flavors of late summer and early autumn home for Sunday dinner.
Click here to find a Greenmarket near you.
Farm Aid 2007: It Rocked!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for a very special weekend. Our Homegrown Fair last Saturday was a savory success and Sundays concert proved to be the musical event of the season. We raised money, awareness, and the roof as artists including Neil Young and Dave Matthews rocked Randalls Island. Were especially grateful to Tom Strumolo, Director of the Policy and Planning for Greenmarket, for his tireless efforts in making this spectacular event a reality.
Harvest in the Square
Help make New Yorks best tasting neighborhood even better. Attend the 12th annual "Harvest in the Square," Manhattans premier food and wine tasting event. More than 50 of Union Squares top-rated restaurants will be offering signature dishes prepared with the Greenmarkets farm-fresh produce. Proceeds from the event fund Union Square Partnerships improvement projects.
Click here for event and ticket information.
Get Involved: Become a Greenmarket Tour Guide!
Go back to school this fall by joining the Greenmarket Guides Program. If youre passionate about food, eating locally, and inspiring children, become a volunteer tour guide. Youll receive training to lead one-hour tours at Greenmarkets for schools (including the AIWF Days of Taste program), tourists, and locals. Help participants discover the abundance of delicious and nutritious delights as they see, touch, smell, and taste locally grown foods.
Featured Farmers: Doug and Bobby Davenport of Robert Davenport & Sons Farm
Fifth-generation farmers Doug and Bobby Davenport are focused on the future, working hard to keep their Kingston, New York, farm prospering into the next generation. Doug says, "Growing up on our farm gave me a sense of well-being. I feel that I am part of the land, and I enjoy the challenge of maintaining a profitable farm." After attending Cornell University's College of Agriculture, Doug rejoined his father and brother Bobby and together they produce some of the sweetest corn you'll find at the Greenmarket. Visit Bobby and Doug at Union Square on Wednesdays and Murray Hill on Saturdays to buy their unforgettable foods.
Paper or Plastic: 'Charge It' at Greenmarket
While cash is still king at the Greenmarket, we are pleased to announce that farmers at four different markets now accept credit cards -- and even more accept food stamps! Wireless battery-operated terminals (think 1980s cell phones) enable farmers to swipe both credit cards and EBT cards. Enjoy this new way to pay while you go green at the Greenmarket.
Click here for more information EBT/Food Stamps and Credit Cards at Greenmarket
Raise Your Voice: 2007 Farm Bill
Do your part to support sustainable food systems, family farmers, and farmers markets. Call your congressional representatives today and let them know you want a Farm Bill that supports building strong, sustainable, local, and regional food systems.
Say no to agri-business interests -- and yes to eating locally with just one phone call!
Click here to find your Congressional contacts.
Click here to find your Senatorial contacts.
Click here to learn more about the 2007 Farm Bill.