The sound of rustle leaves and the smell of pot from wood - burning fireplace are hallmarks ofautumn . Really , the twilight harvest season would n’t be complete without ears of Indian corn beautify the decor in homes and concern . From garland to centerpieces , Native American corn seems to be everywhere in October and November . Everywhere , that is , except on a dinner crustal plate . It ’s corn , but can you really rust it ? And where did it come from ?
Where Did Indian Corn Originate?
harmonize to folklore , these colourful ears werenamed afterthe Indigenous people of North America . They ’d been civilize it for year when they introduced it to the Europeans who make it in the Western Hemisphere in the fifteenth C . But " Indian corn " is n’t single to the North American continent . Expertssaythat it raise in China , India and South America for century . And Indigenous peoples did n’t embellish with it — they ate it .
Unlike the distinctive niblets or corn on the cob that you serve at mealtime , Indian corn is n’t odoriferous . It ’s also got a middling buckram grain when it ’s fix . You could liken it to hominy , which is used to make hominy grits . Indian clavus can be dig to make flour , or the whole kernel can be set aside for Zea mays everta . Ears with larger kernels are typically used for flour or cornmeal output , while those with small , pointy kernels are perfect for Zea mays everta .
Where Does Indian Corn Get Its Colors?
But Indian clavus ’s texture and composition are n’t the most unusual things about it — its colour is . Most of us are used to seeing brilliant yellow or golden ear of corn . How could blue , ruddy , gold and yellow kernels coexist on the same cob ? The Indian corn you commonly find at the market store is one of several hybrid varieties prepare within the last 50 years . These calico - pattern or speckled smorgasbord of Indian corn result from cross - pollenation of individual - shaded plant . In addition to the multicolored capitulum , there are unanimous ears in shades of white , ruby , gamy and opprobrious .
With name like Strawberry Popcorn and Blue Corn , who could hold out try out to plant Amerind edible corn in their own garden ? Luckily , it ’s pretty promiscuous to grow — both the self-aggrandizing auricle and illumination 2- and 4 - inch ( 5- and 10 - centimeter ) salmagundi . you could grease one’s palms the seed at garden supply centers or get them through mail ordination . Pay close attention to planting book of instructions ; imbed rows of firm - colored corn too nearly will produce calico - color ears . But if you ’re the adventurous type , let the seed fall where they may .
If you’regrowing Indian cornfor ornamental use , be sure to wait until the husks are no longer green to pick them , then allow the ear dry for about a workweek . Once that ’s done , you’re able to salt away them at way temperature for four to six calendar month . Some people like to coat Amerind clavus with lacquer to give it a shiny appearance while others prefer the plant life ’s rude tone . And if you need to have another Native American corn whiskey crop next yr , at the ending of the season , pluck the gravid , healthy cum from each cob and store them in metal , animate being - proof containers .
