Fresh Corn

[Elyssa]

I've been dieing to buy some fresh, southern-grown corn to enjoy this summer but haven't been seeing any corn at the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market.

Seeing that I just started going to the Market this Fall I'm not sure when they start selling the corn. Shouldn't it be soon? When is it in season and at its best? Are they selling it any of the other Farmer's Markets in the area?

I'm dieing for some delicious, sweet, Southern corn!

I saw one place selling it this morning...they were calling it Ice Queen corn. I didn't buy any because I don't usually trust that something is truly in season unless I see it at a bunch of table. :)

[thatfarmgirl]

We're enjoying delicious, sweet corn daily here in Annapolis! Lucky us, there is a farmer who sells out of the back of his truck on Saturdays and Sundays, the same day it is picked. My fiance also found some excellent corn at the local Giant, if you can believe that. We shucked 12 ears yesterday and made a salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, celery salt, dry mustard and, of course, sweet corn. It was delicious.

[markoregistrado]

Anyone check out the Takoma Park Farmer's Market? I believe they are allow only organically certified stuff to be sold there...

[Linda513]

How about in the Rockville/Potomac area? Any recommendations for where to get the best corn? And tomatoes?

[Siamman]

Sand Hill Farms from the eastern shore has Maryland corn at the Penn Quarter fresh farm market. Thursdays from 3-7 8th St. NW between D and E. Sts.

[Elyssa]

thanks!

[Steve]

My understanding is that lack of precipitation has severely limited what is available regarding corn and tomatoes. A week ago, A PA farm was the only one with good tomatoes at the Arlington Market.

Pennsylvania, yes, further south, no.

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Jeserf]

I think everything is coming a bit late - even my parents tomatoes in their yard just started coming up a little bit ago.

The PA corn just came in.

i think the PA/NJ produce that comes down here might be a better bet then the south due to this year's weather. The corn I've had thus far has been typical yummy PA corn. The tomatoes...not so much yet. Decent, but not worth the price yet.

[shgy]

we've found great corn at the amish market, charlotte hall md (at rt5/rt6 intersection) for the last two or three weeks. They pick it fresh each morning. New (to me) variety is Frosty. Nice tender white kernels. Silver queen is good, too. I was told they always have corn early because they plow with horse-drawn plows which can handle the soil earlier in the season.

[Hal Laurent]

The "Frosty" variety is a new one that can germinate in colder soil temperatures, which allows earlier planting. I've been getting it at the Sunday Baltimore farmer's market for several weeks now. There was plenty of corn available from several vendors yesterday.

[Elyssa]

I actually heard something similar on the about the lack of rain on the news a few weeks ago.

Too bad...summer is all about yummy corn in my opinion!

[ktmoomau]

Eastern Market has good NC corn right now. Even Eastern Shore corn probably isn't up quite yet the growing season just started late because of how cold how late it was this year even for frosty varieties considering it was snowing so late this year that would really hurt, I asked last week knowing it probably wasn't local and the vendor I was at said most was from NC. But it might be appearing soon now that we have had a little rain and a lot of sun from more local areas eastern shore (and a lot of the Eastern Market vendors come from WV, especially southern WV where it might be up by now). I prefer Silver Queen I think it is sweeter, but that is what I grew up eating.

[MakingSense]

Eastern Shore sweet corn has been available for more than a month now. From at least Caroline and Talbot Counties where I buy it. I have a house over there. The field corn matures later so it's not ready.
About half the Eastern Market Saturday Farmers' Line vendors are from Southern Maryland and they likely have their own corn.

Unfortunately, you're unlikely to find Silver Queen any longer unless you grow your own or know someone who does. The New York Times' Johnny Apple had a home on the Eastern Shore and did a great article on why you can't find it at markets any more. http://www.e-cookbooks.net/articles/s...

[Sal Gee]

Great article, MS. Thanks. I too grew up with white corn (or Silver Queen), and must admit I've become dissatisfied with its taste and texture, particularly small kernels. Maybe too much of a good thing?

Is yellow (or Butter & Sugar) corn available anywhere in these parts?

[MakingSense]

I haven't seen yellow corn. Nobody seems to grow it since everybody wants the white. They're all convinced that it's the sweetest. To me, all the corn flavor is gone, all it is is sugar. Small, too tender kernels.
I keep looking...

[MakingSense]

Eastern Market and RFK have had good tomatoes for awhile now. The local corn has been excellent.
A lot of those those local farmers are from Southern Maryland where they plant earlier than PA. They also irrigate.
The vendors on Saturday at Eastern Market have several varieties of tomato and always have samples cut for tasting.

[Jeserf]

Twin Springs - who are at Dupont and in Friendship Heights on Saturday - have had PA corn for 2 weeks.

Southern corn is bland, PA corn is wonderful, and they have it. Not sure if they have it at Dupont, but not sure why they wouldn't if they have it at friendship heights!

[wookyluvr]

Not sure what you mean by Southern corn. The farm stands near me in Montgomery county started selling local corn this weekend. Lewis Orchard and Homestead Farm near Poolesville are selling local corn now.

[Elyssa]

I don't think I really know what I mean by Southern corn either! lol

I'm originally from Boston so the corn up there tastes pretty different then the delicious corn down here. So I guess I just meant locally grown, native corn.

But just so you know...I'm looking for corn to pick up in DC only. I don't have a car so getting to these other areas is tough for me. I do most of my Farmer's Market shopping at the Sunday Dupont market..so if you've heard news on that place even better!

[Jeserf]

Southern corn, or as many in PA call it, horsefeed, is just basic corn.

Being from PA, it's the only "local" corn I think is even worth having during the summer. small kernels...sweet...don't even need to cook it if you don't want to.

Twin Springs - as I said - does have it on Saturdays in Friendship Heights at the stand...and it's all of 5 minutes from the metro.

[MakingSense]

This area is considered Mid-Atlantic, not South.
It's possible that there's not a lot of "certified" organic corn in this area which the Dupont Market would require. Amish spray-free isn't good-enough.
Try Eastern Market on Saturday. Or Brookland - I think they're open Sunday too.

[Elyssa]

Thanks for the advice. Guess I should be more up to speed on my corn culture! lol :)

[MakingSense]

Good local corn has been at farm stands on the Eastern Shore for a month. Southern corn has been available for longer than that.
I'm surprised you didn't find it at lots of the local markets. The Ice Queen should be fine. Pretty sure its one of the hybrids being grown now since Silver Queen is pretty much confined to home gardening.

[deangold]

Tuscarora has white corn coing in next week from PA. I can't wait. So far all they have had is bicolor which I like but not as much as euther good yellow or good white.

[es1355a]

You should come to Baltimore! The Waverly Farmers Market had delicious, extremely sweet corn last Saturday. We cooked it for 20 minutes on the grill in the husk. I'm sure you will be getting it in DC soon, as this was one of the first late summer harvests.