What can you do with ornamental corn?
Ornamental Corn Uses. The primary purpose for growing ornamental corn is for its decorative aspects. The beautiful fall colors of the ears and husks lend themselves to holiday and autumn wreaths, floral arrangements and groupings combined with festive, long lasting miniature pumpkins, gourds and hay bales.
What is decorative corn?
Last year I started using my decorative corn as it was intended: food. Often referred to as ornamental or decorative corn, it is also called Flint Corn, Indian corn or Calico corn. The cobs are known for being beautifully colorful and hard as flint.
Can you eat Indian corn?
They apparently were originally one color per stalk (blue, red, white), but we bred different strains together to create one stalk with multiple colors in the last 50 years or so. So can you eat Indian Corn? They are indeed edible.
Are sweet corn seeds edible?
They are indeed edible. And in fact, a lot closer to the natural corn that used to grow in the great plains than the sweet corn we see today. The transition to modern corn started 10,000 years ago in Central America with selective breeding, which is basically choosing the seeds of the corn you like best and replanting that next year.
Is colored corn edible?
Some kernels pink, some orange, others a brilliant lime green. If we told you it was a beautiful piece of corn rainbow jewelry, you'd probably believe it. In fact, it's a completely edible ear of corn originating from some special seeds you'll soon be able to order and plant yourself.
What can you do with decorative corn?
Once removed, they can be used for popping into popcorn, or ground to make what is known as masa. The ground masa, or corn meal is then used for lots of dishes including grits, polenta, tamales and masa cakes. If you do try to eat this Indian corn, you will find that it is not sweet like the typical ears of corn.
Can you eat ornamental glass corn?
These amazingly gorgeous ears are simply too beautiful to eat. Grind them up into cornmeal or use them as tortillas. They can also be ground into cornmeal and popped into popcorn.
Can you pop decorative corn?
If wishing to pop an ornamental popcorn, remove the husks at harvest. Place the ears in a mesh bag and hang the popcorn in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location for a few weeks. After drying the popcorn for 2 to 3 weeks, remove an ear of popcorn. Shell a portion of the ear and pop the kernels.
Can you keep decorative corn?
Luckily, you can preserve decorative Indian corn long after its season of harvest. That makes it great for use in wreaths for your front door or in a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
What is ornamental corn used for?
Ornamental Corn Uses The primary purpose for growing ornamental corn is for its decorative aspects. The beautiful fall colors of the ears and husks lend themselves to holiday and autumn wreaths, floral arrangements and groupings combined with festive, long lasting miniature pumpkins, gourds and hay bales.
Does glass gem corn taste like corn?
Glass Gem is predominantly a popcorn (a subcategory of flint corn) and can be ground into cornmeal for use in dishes such as polenta or grits, or popped. This variety was selected for its majestic beauty and colors. However, it does have good corn flavor.
What do you do with gemstone corns?
Glass Gem corn can easily be dried for decoration, popped for popcorn, cooked into hominy, or ground to a beautiful cornmeal.
Does glass gem corn taste different?
Glass Gem corn has an opalescent quality with high starch content. The kernels are not commonly consumed fresh and are primarily dried. When processed, they contain a neutral, unsweetened, starchy taste....AppetizerHealthy Nibbles and BitsVegetable & Cornmeal FrittersThe Recipe CriticHominy Casserole3 more rows
Can you make popcorn out of ornamental corn?
Ornamental corn in an array of sizes and colors. Harvest ornamental corn once the husks are dry; if weather is damp at harvest, pull the husks back and spread the ears out to dry. Harvest popcorn once the kernels and husks are dry, and remove the husks from the ears.
What can you do with colored corn?
Indian Corn, or Flint corn, is one of the oldest types of corn and comes in a variety of colors. It can be used to make hominy, polenta, cornmeal, soups, and much more. Every year, Ho-Chunk Farms harvests Indian Corn on the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska using traditional methods.
Why can't you eat blue corn off the cob?
Is blue corn on the cob edible? Blue corn, just like any other variety, is completely edible in all of its forms. Raw corn isn't as appealing, which is why it is commonly cooked or processed to make flour. Blue corn can be a delicious snack or form part of any recipe.
What can I do with old corn stalks?
Leaving the leftover stalks replenishes the soil with much needed organic material as well as serving as a cover crop preventing soil erosion during the harsh winter months. As humane hog farmers, we use these cornstalk bales for bedding during the cold winter months.
Why do people put corn stalks on their porch?
When corn is picked, a shortened stalk is left standing. The purpose is to prevent erosion of field soil from fall rains and snows.
What can I do with dried corn cobs?
Here are five ingenious ways to use them.Make corn stock. Toss the cobs in a large pot, cover them with water, add a few big pinches of salt, and simmer for about an hour. ... Try corn cob jelly. ... Milk them. ... Enhance poaching liquid. ... Smoke meat.
What can you do with dried corn?
Culinary Uses maize kernels In Latin America, dried corn kernels are traditionally eaten with beans as together sweet corn and beans form a balanced diet. Dried maize kernels can be made into soups or corn pudding and can even be grilled.
How to grow corn stalks after it dries?
When the corn dries, the kernels peel away slightly from the cob. This is their natural process so they can release the kernels to grow new corn stalks. Make sure you have a bowl or tray underneath your work space as the kernels tend to pop everywhere. Place your thumbs along a row of kernels and press outwards.
Why is corn sweeter than other crops?
The corn is sweeter because the sugar doesn't convert to starch as well due to a recessive trait. Since the sugars don;t convert to starch, the corn will spoil faster. That is why modern corn is harvested before the dry stage, known as the milk stage.
How to make Indian corn meal?
Take your sifted Indian Corn Kernels and toss 'em in the grinder. Then grind until smooth. We usually would stop, mix the corn dust around, and then pulse again. This helped grind everything more evenly. After several rotations of stirring and grinding, the corn meal is the consistency of flour.
How to stop corn from popping in skillet?
Avoid Canola oil. Add one-three corn kernels and heat the oiled skillet until the corn pops. Then add the rest of the kernels (just barely fill the bottom of the pan, the kernels shouldn't layer over each other) and cover until you stop hearing the popping sound.
How to get Indian corn kernels out of the cob?
Place your thumbs along a row of kernels and press outwards. The kernels will release and "pop" out from the cob and into the bowl/tray table. Once you release all the kernels, sift out the stuck pieces of stalk and you are ready! You just harvested Indian corn kernels!
What is the name of the corn that is hard and colorful?
Often referred to as ornamental or decorative corn, it is also called Flint Corn, Indian corn or Calico corn. The cobs are known for being beautifully colorful and hard as flint. We named it after the Native Americans, but it was growing in China, South America and India for centuries before we "discovered" it.
How long does it take to make corn meal?
After several rotations of stirring and grinding, the corn meal is the consistency of flour. It should only take 3-5 minutes. Doing this at home, the corn meal will be a little grittier than store-bought masa. This adds more texture to the dishes you create and won't be a problem in the cooked product.
How to keep Indian corn from getting shiny?
And if you want to have another Indian corn harvest next year, at the end of the season, pick the largest, healthiest seeds from each cob and store them in metal, animal-proof containers.
What are the ears of Indian corn used for?
Ears with larger kernels are typically used for flour or cornmeal production , while those with small, pointy kernels are perfect for popcorn. But Indian corn's texture and composition aren't the most unusual things about it -- its color is. Most of us are used to seeing bright yellow or golden ears of corn.
How long can you keep Indian corn seeds?
Once that's done, you can store them at room temperature for four to six months.
What are the colors of Indian corn?
In addition to the multicolored ears, there are solid ears in shades of white, ruby, blue and black.
When is Indian corn in season?
From wreaths to centerpieces, Indian corn seems to be everywhere in October and November. Everywhere, that is, except on a dinner plate.
Where did Indian corn originate?
But "Indian corn" isn't exclusive to the North American continent. Experts say that it grew in China, India and South America for centuries.
Is Indian corn sweet?
Advertisement. Unlike the typical niblets or corn on the cob that you serve at mealtime, Indian corn isn't sweet. It's also got a pretty starchy texture when it's cooked. You could compare it to hominy, which is used to make grits. Indian corn can be ground to make flour, or the whole kernel can be reserved for popcorn.
How to tell if corn is dry?
Check the corn every few days once the ears begin turning from green to yellow or brown. Touch the husks, bending their tips gently back and forth with your fingers to test for moisture. Harvest the corn when the husks are entirely yellow or brown and completely dry.
How to break corn from ear?
Hold the stalk of the corn plant at a point just above the ear in one hand. Grasp the ear of corn near its base in your other hand. Bend the ear of corn downward in a smooth, quick motion to break the ear from the stalk.
How long does corn need to dry?
Allow the corn to dry for one week. Check ornamental corn for moisture by gently pressing on a few of the kernels with your fingernail. Give the corn more time to dry if the kernels are soft and your fingernail leaves an indentation. The corn is ready to use when the kernels are hard and resist your fingernail's pressure.
How to hang corn on a rafter?
Tie one end of a string around the base of the husks where they meet the bottom of the corncob. Tie the opposite end of the string around a rafter, ceiling hook or drying rack located in a shaded or dark location. Do not hang the corn in direct sunlight, since this will cause the colors to fade. Ensure that the corn is hanging high enough above the ground and far enough away from any walls or obstacles to prevent rodents or other pests from reaching it.
How to straighten corn husks?
Pull apart the tips of the husks located at the smaller, pointed end of the ear of corn. Pull the husks downward, toward the larger base of the corncob. Tug on the husks gently to straighten any wrinkles and pull them straight away from the bottom end of the corncob. Repeat with each harvested ear of ornamental corn.
What animals eat ornamental corn?
Another of ornamental corn uses is its addition as a late fall, early winter food source for the critters in the home garden. Deer, groundhogs, raccoons and birds all enjoy dining on ornamental corn. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 02/03/21. Read more about Corn.
How to harvest ornamental corn?
To harvest, break the ears off with a quick downward tug leaving the husk on to finish drying over the course of a week.
What are ornamental corn varieties?
Ornamental Corn Varieties. There are a great number of ornamental corn varieties owing in part to the easy cross pollination among the species. Some, although not all types, of ornamental corn varieties are as follows: Outdoor maze varieties – Maze corn, Broom Corn and Big.
What are the different types of corn?
There are six types of corn: dent, flint, flour, pop, sweet and waxy.
