Full Description
Cultivated from sea level to mountaintop, from parched deserts to sodden rain forests, from the rocky Gaspe Peninsula to the plains of Argentina, corn is the grain of the Americas. In terms of culinary uses, it is amazingly diverse, reflecting the breathtaking variety of the continents and environments from which it evolved. The consummate immigrant, corn is grown extensively on every continent except Antarctica. Market farmer and naturalist Anthony Boutard weaves together this unique plant's contribution to our culture, its distinctive biology, and the practical information needed to grow and enjoy it at home. Beautiful Corn advocates a return to the nourishing whole grain that built America, in place of today's genetically modified crops processed by industrial agriculture into synthetic sweeteners and cheap meat. Come along on this lyrical and inspiring journey through the seasons, learning about growing and using corn in the traditional way. Gardeners and market farmers can lead the way to a healthier country by restoring heritage corn varieties to our tables.An unabashed celebration of a much-maligned culinary treasure, Beautiful Corn will forever change the way you view this remarkable plant. Anthony Boutard is a widely recognized advocate in the local food movement, well-known for his efforts in reviving long-lost crops and bringing little-known varieties to market. He and his wife Carol own Ayers Creek Farm, a 144-acre organic market farm in Gaston, Oregon, specializing in berries, beans, grains, and greens for sale to local restaurants and markets.
Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction: Falling for corn 1. The Origins of Corn 2. Corn Emigrates 3. The Kernel, Corn's Fruit 4. Spring Planning and Choosing Seed 5. Corn is Food from Flower to Flour 6. Popcorn and Flint Corn 7. Dent Corn and Flour Corn 8. Breaking Ground 9. Growth of the Corn Plant 10. Flowering of the Corn Plant 11. The Cornfield 12. Harvest and Storage 13. Preparing Grain Corn for Cooking 14. Onto the Plate 15. Producing Your Own Corn Seed 16. Soon the Snow Flies Epilogue: Back to Work Appendix 1: Seed Sources Appendix 2: Equipment Sources Bibliography Index About the Author
