Seven ways to enjoy Ontario’s sweet corn harves

GUELPH, ON  – Diversify your summer cooking with corn!

Corn has been part of Canadian agriculture for hundreds of years and has long been considered one of the most diverse food items that can be added to any dish for extra sweetness or crunch. Ontario — with three sweet varieties that are used in recipes all over Canada: super-sweet, normal and sugar-enhanced — is one of the top provinces for corn production in the country.

Ontario-grown sweet corn can be enjoyed year round; there are more than 100 corn farmers in the province, and 10,000-plus acres of farmland is dedicated sweet corn grown and harvested for canning and freezing in Southwestern Ontario. Corn is a whole grain and is a great source of fiber. Sweet corn varieties contain high levels of the phytochemical’s lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which promote healthy vision. Sweet corn also carries B12 and other helpful vitamins that promote a healthy mind and body.

Plus, you cannot match the freshness of local Ontario corn when it is season. Support local corn farmers and try one (or all!) of these seven recipes to celebrate the Ontario corn harvest and add a little more to your summer backyard menu:

1. A delicious take on corn on the cob, Grilled Mexican Street Corn is a trendy way to enjoy corn with friends and family. Known as elotes in Mexico, this is an easy (and messy!) way to enjoy your corn. Grill the cob to get a nice char on the kernels, drizzle with a sauce based on Mexican crema (our sour cream if you can’t find any) and sprinkle crumbled cojita cheese on top.
2. A classic family cookout staple, add some crunch to your standard pasta salad with Pasta Salad with Corn, Bacon and Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. Pro tip to make prep a breeze and cut down on the dishes you have wash – instead of cooking your corn separately, toss it in the boiling water with your pasta during the last few minutes of cooking
3. Sweet Corn and Goat Cheese Quesadillas are a tasty twist on a classic party food and are a great way to enjoy that extra corn. This is a super-easy meal on a hot late summer day.
4. Corn and Ricotta Bruschetta, is a tasty appetizer that everyone will enjoy! The smooth ricotta is a great base for this fresh mixture of corn, onion and mint. The result is sweet and flavourful, piled high on thick toast.
5. Corn Chowder is a classic and delicious summertime staple to add to any meal rotation. Served chilled or hot, this recipe includes bacon, but swap it out for a nice vegetarian dish. Go vegan by replacing the milk with coconut milk — the result is a nice, rich soup. For a more flavourful soup, simmer the cobs in the broth to extract every last bit of corn taste.
6. Grilled Corn on the Cob is an essential barbeque side dish, this recipe is both easy and tasty. Leave the corn in the husk and simply toss it on a hot grill. For added flavour, before cooking, pull back the husk, remove the silk and brush the raw cobs with butter mixed with your choice of herbs and spices. Cover back up with the husk, and place on the grill.
7. For those times when fresh corn is out of season, you can still get that delicious corn-on-the-cob flavour with Roasted Canned Corn. Simply heat up some olive oil in a skillet or frying pan, add the corn and cook until it is starting to turn golden brown. This dish also invites creativity; add peppers and onion for extra flavour, or play around with your favourite seasonings or add some crumbly Ontario cheese.

Did you know… on each cob of corn there is one strand of corn silk for every kernel of corn?

The Home Grown project presented by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture aims to shine a light on the importance of Ontario famers and the preservation of productive farmland. Ontario is losing more than 319 acres of farmland every day, an unsustainable number if we plan to continue producing our own food in the future.