As we approach the first day of summer, June 11th marks the calendar to celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day each year. Fresh corn on the cob is a summertime treat people from all corners of the United States look forward to as we start the picnic season.
In different regions of the country, corn on the cob is known as pole corn, cornstick, sweet pole, butter-pop, sweet corn, or long maize. Picking the corn when the kernels are tender and in its milk stage serves up sweeter kernels.
Boiling, steaming, roasting, and grilling are the most common ways to prepare corn on the cob. When grilling or roasting sweet corn, the husks may be left on to retain moisture and flavor during the cooking process.
While it might seem rude, proper dinner etiquette for eating corn says holding the cob at each end with your fingers is appropriate. Serving corn on the cob with other seasonings, butter or oils can add even more flavor. On June 10th, we celebrated National Herbs and Spices Day. Anything you learned while celebrating can also be applied while enjoying your corn on the cob! Consider roasting your sweet corn with a little cilantro and chili pepper.