Corn, also known as “maize”, is one of the most important cereal crops grown around the world. Farmers differentiate “sweet” corn – varieties grown as food – from other varieties used for animal feed, industrial use, or products like flour, corn syrup, and popcorn. Corn was originally domesticated starting around 9000 years ago in south-central Mexico, with early farmers selecting favorable traits from the wild teosinte plant. By the time of European colonization in the 15th century, corn had spread across the Americas and become a major food source for the indigenous population.
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This Mexican street corn recipe found on Simply Recipes is a staple of summer and it’s easy to make at home! Top char-grilled corn on the cob with a tangy, creamy sauce, sprinkle with crumbled cheese and dive in. Make this for your next backyard cook-out! Note that if you can’t find cojita cheese in your grocery store, it’s ok to omit or substitute another cheese.
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Here is a beautiful salad from Melissa Clark of the New York Times that’s perfect for a picnic. Haricots verts, by the way, are skinny green beans, but regular ones will work just as well. All of the ingredients can be found in our late summer CSA shares! Serves 6-8.
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If you’re tired of traditional succotash, try this recipe from the “Simply Organic” by Jesse Ziff Cool. It deviates from the classic style of succotash by substituting green beans for lima beans, and adding hot peppers, cumin, and lime for a southwestern twist.
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Another recipe from the Simply Organic cookbook.
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Found on Taste of Home, this gorgeous shrimp and avocado salad has such authentic flavor, you’ll think you’re sitting at a beachside cantina in Acapulco! Serves 4.
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This is my go-to recipe for delicious and satisfying gazpacho. And now that we are in peak tomato season, it’s an easy meal, despite what might appear like a long and arduous process — it is not! Read it thru a few times, make it once, and you will see how simple it is. The recipe serves 4-6 and hails from the website www.thekitchn.com. Do try it, please.
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In the summertime, succotash just calls out for those fresh, abundant summer vegetables – fresh corn on the cob, lima beans, onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers – red, yellow, orange or green, or even a combination of a few. You could even add in some summer squash or zucchini, eggplant, or whatever is fresh at the farmers market or in your own backyard garden. This recipe from Deep South Dish puts a southern spin on the classic Native American succotash.