|
Home and Garden Events
Saturday May 10, 2008 Haskell, New Jersey Sunday May 11, 2008 Ringwood, New Jersey
|
|
|
|
|
One of the most delicious summer crops in New
Jersey is the sweet white corn.
 |
Fruit and vegetable stand near
Hardystown, NJ
|
Sweet Corn is a delicacy found at the many farm stands that spring
up every year along the highways and back roads of North Jersey.
The silver queen hybrids are the most common type. They measure
nine to ten inches long and have tight rows of milky white, small
kernels. Sweet Corn begins appearing at roadside farm stands in
New Jersey in late June.
Sweet corn needs a fertile, well-drained, moist soil. New Jersey's
clay loam is ideal for sweet corn. Sweet corn ready to pick when
the kernels are full and "milky" and the ear silks are drying
and browning. Usually the corn is ready 18-24 days after silk
first shows.
 |
|
New Jersey sweet
corn!
|
The unusual sweetness occurs because the silver queen and other
sweet corn varieties do not turn the sugar into starch during growth.
Sweet corn hybrids are produced to slow the conversion of sugar
to starch after harvesting.
Most corn is grown for its starch content.. The most common type
of corn grown in the United States is the "Dent" corn
variety which has a high starch content. The sides of the Dent kernel
contain "hard" starch while the crown contains "soft"
starch. As the Dent grain matures, the soft starch shrinks causing
a characteristic dent. Most of the corn grown in the United States
is used for livestock feed or is exported. The corncobs are an important
source of furfural, a chemical used in manufacturing nylon fibers
and purifying butadiene in the production of synthetic rubber.
Sweet corn can be prepared in quite a few ways. Among the more
popular is barbecuing the corn in the husk or boiling the husked
corn in water for 8 to 10 minutes. Either way it is a a delicious
taste treat.
Driving along Route 23 on July 4, we were able
to find some great sweet corn as well as other fresh produce near
Hardystown, NJ.
 |
|
Delicious tomatoes,
garlic, eggplant!
|
Bushel baskets of large, juicy jersey tomatoes greet
visitors to North Jersey farm stands as well as peppers, lettuce,
apples and squash. Beautiful purple and sweet white eggplants are
also for sale. But, local produce is not all there is. Freshly delivered
lemons, oranges and mangoes are also available. We filled our basket
with these delicious fruits of the Garden State in anticipation
of our Independence Day barbecue.
Farm stands with fresh New Jersey produce can be found
almost any weekend (some are open weekdays as well) in the summer
months. Sweet corn season starts around July first and continues
to September fifteenth, although it is sometimes available as late
as the middle of October. Many stands are located north of Wayne,
New Jersey to the end of route 23 near Port Jervis, New York. Take
a scenic drive on route 23 north and don't forget to stock up on
the Garden State's summer bounty!
|
|
Preparing
Fresh Jersey Sweet Corn
|
 |
Nutritional analysis per serving (77
g, approx. 1 ear, boiled): Calories, 83; Fiber, 2 g;
Cholesterol, 0 mg; Sodium, 13 mg; Percent calories from:
Protein, 4%; Carbohydrates, 25%; Fat, 10%.
• Boiling:
- Remove husk and silk threads from
corn.
- Wash corn with clean water.
- Fill large pot 3/4 full with water,
boil water.
- Add corn and time 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve with salt and butter.
|
• Barbecue:
- Soak corn with husk attached in
water for 10 to 15 minutes.
- With corn inside husk or also wrap
corn in tin foil, put on grill away from fire.
- Cook for 20 minutes depending on
heat.
- Server with salt and butter.
|
• Cancun Corn:
3/4 cup
chopped onions or scallions
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 large garlic clove, minced
1-1/2 cups Jersey Fresh sweet corn kernels
2-1/2 cups cooked long-grain white or brown rice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves |
1 can
of tomato sauce, 8 oz. size
1 tsp. mild chili powder
1/4 tsp. dried thyme leaves
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil |
|
|
In a 12” nonstick skillet, combine
scallions, parsley, garlic and oil. Cook over medium
heat, stirring frequently, until the scallions are tender.
Stir in the corn and cook, stirring, until the corn
is heated through. Stir in the cooked rice, cilantro,
tomato sauce, chili powder, thyme, and pepper. Simmer
and cook for 5 minutes. Serves 5.
Per serving: 207 calories, 0 milligrams
cholesterol, 1.9 grams of total fat (8% of calories),
0.3 grams of saturated fat.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
|
• Corn Chowder:
2 lbs. white potatoes,
diced
4 celery ribs, diced
1 bay leaf
3/4 lbs. onions, finely diced
3 Tbsp. butter
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
2 tsp. cumin seeds |
3 Tbsp.
flour
1/2 tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. white pepper
2 cups milk
3 ears of Jersey Fresh corn, blanched, and cut from
cobs
parsley, finely chopped |
|
|
Boil potatoes with bay leaf, until
just tender in one quart of water. Sauté onions,
peppers, celery, and cumin in butter until onions are
transparent. Add sage, pepper and flour to the onion
mixture with some of the potato water and stir to make
a paste. Add potatoes and the rest of the potato water
and heat. Add the milk and the corn. Heat thoroughly
and garnish with parsley. Serves 14. This is an official
5 a Day recipe.
Nutritional analysis per cup: Calories,
127; Fiber, 5 g; Cholesterol, 8 mg; Sodium, 146 mg; Percent
calories from: Protein, 13%; Carbohydrates, 68%; Fat,
19%.
NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE
|
|
Preparing
Fresh Grilled Vegetables
|
• Grilled Carrots:
|
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
into 1/4 inch pieces
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper
|
|
|
|
Pile carrots onto a large sheet of
aluminum foil with butter and honey. Add salt and pepper
to taste. Close ingredients in foil and cook indirectly
on grill 30 to 45 minutes.
Approximately 4 servings, Nutritional
analysis per serving: Calories, 134; Fiber, 3 g; Cholesterol,
16 mg; Sodium, 157 mg; Percent calories from: Protein,
1%; Carbohydrates, 17%; Fat, 6%.
|
• Grilled Green Beans:
|
1 lb. green beans, rinsed with
water and trimmed
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce
salt and pepper
|
1/2 teaspoon
sugar
1 tablespoon sesame seeds |
|
|
Mix soy sauce, sesame seed oil and
sugar in small bowl. Pile beans on large sheet of tin
foil. Cover beans with soy sauce/sugar/oil mixture and
sprinkle with sesame seeds. Close foil and shake to
coat beans. Place on grill away from flame and cook
for approximately 1/2 hour.
Approximately 4 servings, Nutritional
analysis per serving: Calories, 83; Fiber, 4 g; Cholesterol,
0 mg; Sodium, 83 mg; Percent calories from: Protein, 3%;
Carbohydrates, 8%; Fat, 5%.
|
• Grilled Asparagus:
|
1-1/2 lbs. asparagus tops, rinsed
with water and trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 4 garlic cloves
salt and pepper
|
|
|
|
Combine ingredients on large piece
of tin foil, close foil, shake to coat. Cook away from
flame on grill for approximately 15 minutes.
Approximately 4 servings, Nutritional
analysis per serving: Calories, 71; Fiber, 2 g; Cholesterol,
0 mg; Sodium, 139 mg; Percent calories from: Protein,
5%; Carbohydrates, 4%; Fat, 6%.
|
• Grilled Potatoes:
|
1 to 2 lbs. potatoes, rinsed
with water and cut into pieces
3 tablespoons water
1 to 2 tablespoons heavy cream
salt and pepper
|
1/2 cup
sour cream
4 teaspoons dijon mustard |
|
|
Pile potatoes into large sheet of tin
foil with water, salt and pepper. Close foil and place
on grill away from heat. Combine remaining ingredients
in bowl for the sauce. Remove potatoes form grill after
45 minutes. Place potatoes in serving dish and spoon
sauce over top.
Approximately 4 servings, Nutritional
analysis per serving: Calories, 248; Fiber, 4 g; Cholesterol,
21 mg; Sodium, 121 mg; Percent calories from: Protein,
7%; Carbohydrates, 33%; Fat, 13%.
|
• Shellfish Barbeque:
|
2 lbs. mussels, cleaned and
washed
2 lbs. littleneck clams, washed
16 large shrimp
2 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
|
1 tbsp.
garlic
1 lime
3/4 cup equal parts cilantro, basil and mint
1/4 cup soy sauce |
|
- Preheat grill or roating pan in
450° oven
- On double sheet of aluminum foil
approximately 1 1/2 sq. ft., pile 1/4 of shrimp, calms,
mussels, ginger and garlic. Squeeze limeover top,
add 1/4 of spice mixture and wrap tightly. Amount
of food should make four aluminum foil "wraps".
- Put wraps on grill for 10 to 15
minutes.
- Serve over bed of rice.
|
|
| If
you have a Jersey Sweet Corn or grilled vegetable recipe,
tell us about it at staff@rt23.com! |
|
|
|
Farms in the Northern
New Jersey Area
Katterman Farms
Rt 23 South, Sussex, NJ, 973-875-8171
Farm View Roadstand
945 Black Oak Ridge Rd. (Rt 202), Wayne, NJ 973-839-1212
Lucey's Berry Farm
41 Beaver Run Rd., Layfayette, NJ 973-383-4309
Ideal Farm and Garden Centre
Rts. 15 and 206 (Ross' Corner), Layfayette, NJ 973-579-3893
Brook Hollow Farm
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, roadside market. Frog Pond Rd.,
Hainesburg (Knowlton Twp.) , NJ 908-496-4577
Denville Farms in Warren County
Pick your own apples. 10 Knowlton Rd, Knowlton , NJ 908-459-9869
Donaldson Farms
Pick your own pumpkins, gourds, free wagon rides, and farm store
with fresh-baked pies. All Road, Hackettstown, NJ 908-852-9122
Glenview Farm
Pick your own pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn. 2 Glenview Lane, Blairstown,
NJ 908-362-6904
Godlewsky Farms and Greenhouses
Pick your own pumpkins. 196 Alphano Road, Great Meadows, NJ 908-637-4927
Suffern Farmers' Market
Commuter Parking Lot Orange Avenue & Lafayette Avenue
Suffern, New York - The Suffern Farmers' Market is open every Saturday
from the end of June through the end of October. It features locally
grown veggies and fruits, organics, plants, fresh baked breads &
pies, boutique wines and homemade soaps and shampoos. The market
is open from 9AM to 1PM- rain or shine, and features live entertainment
on most days! (845) 369-1350
Other Links
5 a Day Center - Have you had your 5 fruits and veggies?
5 A Day is a national health program to encourage you to eat 5 or
more servings of fruits and vegetables every day.
New Jersey Department of Agriculture
|
|
|
|
