With its bursting sweet, fresh flavour and nutritional benefits, it’s no wonder why so many people love sinking their teeth into juicy sweetcorn during the summer months, bought fresh from our Harvest Hall greengrocers.
We’re particularly fond of this veg because not only is sweetcorn free from cholesterol and gluten, but it’s also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, folic acid, dietary fibre and is very high in antioxidants. What’s more is sweetcorn can be eaten raw or cooked, straight from the cob or removed and served in dozens of ways – as a side dish, in salads, as a garnish or a meal on its own.
To help you get the most out of this delicious vegetable, here are five ways to enjoy sweetcorn this season.
1. A traditional favourite with a twist
Take your corn on the cob to new heights. If you’ve never tried Mexican street corn, give it a try. Simple to prepare, it’s known as elote in Mexico. The sweetcorn is grilled until the kernels just begin to blacken; this gives the corn a wonderful smoky flavour. While hot from the grill, add a slathering of tangy sauce made from mixing mayonnaise, lime juice and chilli powder. Sprinkle some cotija cheese (feta if this is unavailable) and then sit down to the goodness of this simple, mouth-watering meal.
2. Grilled sweetcorn salad
Grilled sweetcorn in salad really captures the flavours of summer and is so easy to throw together for those quick, weeknight meals. Grill your corn, cut it off the cob and simply toss with all your favourite salad ingredients, which are so readily available at this time of year. Not only is the addition of corn to your salad a feast for the tastebuds but also for the eyes, adding a bright pop of colour.
3. Quick and easy sweetcorn fritters
Fritters are a quick and easy snack that everyone will want to eat, even on the go. The best bit is you can throw all your ingredients into one bowl – who doesn’t love a one-bowl wonder?
In your bowl, stir together your sweetcorn off the cob, flour, baking powder and a little salt and pepper to season. Crack in a couple of eggs and beat until your batter is well-combined. Then heat your oil in a frypan and scoop a large tablespoon of your mixture into round fritters. Cook until they’re golden and you’re good to go.
4. Sweetcorn carbonara
Looking for an easy and cost-effective dinner that wows? Adding sweetcorn to your carbonara is a match made in heaven. The natural creaminess of the sweetcorn makes it perfect to pair with creamy dishes. Add in some crispy, salty bacon and we guarantee you’ll need to make extra, as this won’t last long on the table with family and friends alike.
5. Sweetcorn jacket potatoes
A great way to get the kids involved in cooking is to make simple jacket potatoes topped with crunchy sweetcorn and cheese. Simply wrap your whole, unpeeled potatoes in foil and bake for about an hour (until soft). Cut a cross on the top of each potato and squeeze the sides. Add your sweetcorn and cheese (and a little chopped bacon if you like) and put back in the oven until the cheese melts – it’s like a little party in your mouth!
There really are so many creative options with sweetcorn this season, and now is the time to pick some up from our Harvest Hall Traders and give these ideas a go at home. Check out our fruit and vegetable traders here.
*Nutritional information sourced from the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council
