Pennsylvania Vegetables in Season Right Now – Sweet Corn
July is coming in hot and bringing with it some of your favorite local Pennsylvania vegetables. Corn is quite possibly one of the most highly anticipated vegetables of the month and season. Many Pennsylvanians remain on the edge of their seats as the holiday weekend approaches, eager to hear from their local farmers, and other local vegetables sources, if sweet corn will be available before July 4th rolls around.
While the weather, among many other elements out of a farmers’ control, plays a big role in the availability of crops at particular times of the year, it’s almost certain that you’ll see sweet corn in early July, even if it’s not ripe for the picking exactly on July 3. In preparation for its arrival, we thought we’d share a few delightful corn recipes from a few of our favorite recipe sources. Enjoy!
Chef Marc Vetri – Fettuccine with Corn Crema and Charred Green Onions
You’ll need:
- 1 pound (454 g) Egg Yolk Dough (page 26), rolled into sheets about ⅛ inch (3 mm) thick
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (21 g) finely chopped yellow onion
- 2 large ears corn, shucked and kernels cut from cobs
- ¼ cup (60 ml) water
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3 small green onions, trimmed
- 1 chunk ricotta salata cheese, for grating (optional)
Full recipe: http://www.paveggies.org/chef-marc-vetri/
Fresh PA Corn Polenta
You’ll need:
- 8 ears PA sweet corn, shucked
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
- 1 cup PA cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced into ribbons
Full recipe: https://www.paeats.com/recipe/fresh-corn-polenta/
Corn Fritter with Chives
You’ll need:
- 2 1/2 C fresh sweet corn, cut off the cob and milked
- 1 1/2 Tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 C flour
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 Tbsp heavy cream
- 4 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil
Full recipe: https://simpleseasonal.com/recipes/corn-fritters-with-chives
Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
You’ll need:
- 6 to 8 medium ears sweet corn, husks removed
- 1/2 cup Mexican crema, or sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup minced cilantro
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons lime zest, from one lime
- 2 tablespoon lime juice, from one lime
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
- Lime wedges, to serve
Full recipe: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/grilled_mexican_street_corn_elotes/
Corn: Four Ways
You’ll need:
A variety of common household ingredients, and kale for sure!
Full recipe: https://ediblephilly.ediblecommunities.com/recipes/corn-four-ways
Sweet Corn, Spinach and Cheddar Egg Bake
You’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons corn oil (or any vegetable oil)
- 1 ¼ cups onion, finely chopped
- 4 large garlic cloves, very finely minced
- 1 container (5 ounces) baby spinach leaves, long stems removed
- 1 2/3 cups frozen sweet corn kernels, thawed and drained (use fresh corn sliced off the cob when in season; it will cook when the casserole is baking. You’ll need about 3 ears to get 1 2/3 cups)
- 12 large eggs
- 1 cup 1% low-fat milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed or 3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups (8 ounces) reduced-fat sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
Full recipe: https://www.farmflavor.com/recipe/type/breakfast/sweet-corn-spinach-cheddar-egg-bake/