Corn makes a delicious sweet and fresh summer treat – perfect for a summer BBQ or picnic, but it’s actually available almost year-round in Australia. And when you can’t find it fresh, canned or frozen corn is just as good!
Corn is incredibly versatile, brightening up any dish with its colour and naturally sweet flavour. Here’s 4 reasons why corn should always be in your fridge, freezer or pantry and can be enjoyed year-round:
1. It’s packed with nutrients
Corn is a healthy grain and rich source of fibre, folate, vitamins and minerals. One cup of corn contains 18% of the daily recommended amount of Folate, which helps your body form healthy red blood cells, and 11% of the daily recommended amount of Thiamine (vitamin B1), which turns food into energy.
Corn not only brightens your body, but your plate too. Its naturally sweet flavour makes it an easy sell with kids and picky eaters.
2. It’s versatile
You can’t really go wrong with corn! Add it to your favourite Mexican dish, salsas, casseroles, or fried rice. Use it to make fritters, omelettes, soups and salads. Throw some corn on the BBQ at your next social gathering or steam it in the microwave for a sweet side dish.
3. It’s raring to go
Fresh corn is ready to use as soon as you buy it. There’s no need to let it ripen further. You can tell corn is fresh when the husk is bright green and tightly wrapped around the cob. Keep the husks on until you’re ready to use the corn.
Try to consume fresh corn within 1-2 days for maximum sweetness and quality or opt for frozen or canned corn for more flexibility.
4. It’s easy to cook
Corn tastes best when it’s juicy and still a bit crunchy. You can achieve this by steaming corn quickly for 3-5 minutes. Or for a delicious, charred effect it can be barbecued for 10 minutes, or roasted in a hot oven (200-220oC) for 20-25 minutes.
Brighten up your plate year-round with these corn recipes.
