Corn on the cob is a popular barbecue and picnic treat during the summer season, so it is not surprising that it is one of the foods that have their own unofficial holiday. National Corn on the Cob Day is celebrated annually on June 11.
Corn on the cob is a dish consisting of a cooked ear of sweet corn that is eaten directly off the cob. The corn for cooking corn on the cob is usually harvested while the kernels are still tender, which is why the dish is most often cooked in the beginning and middle of summer. It is one of the most popular Fourth of July foods; according to statistics, corn and potatoes are the most consumed grilled side dishes at Independence Day barbecues.
Corn on the cob has a long history. It was eaten by Native American tribes long before the arrival of European settlers. Sweet corn eaten off the cob was a staple food and a prominent source of sustenance for aboriginal peoples in Central America and what is now the Midwestern United States and Southern Canada.
Corn on the cob can be fried, grilled, roasted, baked, boiled, steamed, or even microwaved. It tastes the best if cooked on the same day the corn is harvested because as the time passes, the sugar in the kernels begins to convert into starch, making the corn lose its sweetness. Most cooking methods require removing the green husk leaves. However, corn on the cob can be roasted or grilled with the husk, which helps to retain moisture and flavour. In this case, the husk is removed before serving.
Corn on the cob is usually served with butter, salt, and black pepper and eaten while still warm. It is a tricky food to eat. It is perfectly appropriate to eat corn on the cob holding it at each end with your fingers; you can use a napkin to keep your fingers clean. You can also use special utensils called corn cob holders, which are inserted into each end of corn on the cob, or slice off the kernels with a special knife.
You can
celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day by inviting your friends and
family over for a BBQ party or simply cooking some delicious corn
on the cob for lunch or dinner if you’re not in the mood
for partying.
