In Praise of Corn

I've spent a some time (and a couple of posts) vilifying corn. (See: Is Too Much Corn Making Us Fat and The Great Corn vs. Grass Debate.) But here it is, corn season, and a recent trek to the Pearl Street Farmer's Market highlighted the plus side of the debate.

We found some fabulous homemade corn tortillas:

They're sold by Paz Distributors, who offer homemade salsa, tamales, tortillas and burritos. In business for six years, these folks sell their goods at the Cherry Creek Farmer's market (Wednesdays and Saturdays), and the Pearl Street and Stapleton Farmer's Markets on Sundays. They'll make you a tasty burrito or tamale right on the spot, or you can take their tortillas home. (They freeze well, too.)

We like to use them with whatever veggies we have on hand. This week it was shredded zucchini, onions, garlic, red peppers and cilantro, sauteed in olive oil and seasoned with coriander. We pile the veggies on the tortilla, melt some cheese on top and serve them with fresh tomato salsa seasoned with cumin and (you guessed it) fresh corn.

We're talkin' corn heaven! No HFCS here; this is what corn should be.

Upcoming Events, Etc.

Finally, a rainy day.

If you're like me, you've spent the summer planting, weeding, deadheading, weeding, harvesting, weeding, cooking, weeding, preserving, weeding, composting and then.....weeding some more. Every now and then -- like 40-50 hours a week -- I also go to work. Doesn't leave much time for blogging, I'm afraid.

The key thing I've discovered about gardening is that everything grows. (Now there's a revelation!) But, truly....I always start the season with intense energy and enthusiasm and by July, I'm out there with a machete, cutting everything back before it takes over the neighborhood....thinking why in the world did I plant so many squash plants? Have I learned nothing?

For a truly entertaining bit on the zucchini, you should visit my friend John Hershey's website by clicking here; he speaks for gardeners everywhere.

Ah, but I digress.....

I'm happy to have a rainy day because I can't weed today. I can, instead, promote these cool events. If you'd like a yummy introduction to local foods, here are some events to get you started:

Sunday, Aug. 24, 5:30 p.m. to…..
Local Feast at The Kitchen (Upstairs)
1039 Pearl Street, Boulder

Celebrate local food with a special three-course dinner prepared by the chefs at the renowned Kitchen Cafe in Boulder. Taste local food at its best and sip a variety of Colorado wines and local brews. Co-sponsored by Bauman College, Edible Front Range, Boulder County Farmers' Markets, The Kitchen and Boulder County Going Local.

$39 per person; reservations required. Call 303-444-2975 to make yours now!

September 6 - 12, 2008
Harvest Week Denver
presented by the Denver Independent Network of Restaurants (DINR) and participating Denver restaurants

Join in a weeklong celebration of Colorado's exceptional products and produce. Each of DINR's almost 40 restaurants will create a menu that features food and/or beverages produced in Colorado. Support our local farmers, growers and producers as well as your favorite independent restaurants and check out Harvest Week. For more information and to preview all of the Harvest Week menus, visit www.eatdenver.com.

Tuesday, September 9, (Abbondanza Farm)
Monday, October 6 (Cure Organic Farm)
Farmer's Dinners at Duo Restaurant
2413 W. 32nd Ave (at Zuni) Denver

Chef John Broening will prepare a four course meal with organic produce picked from the evening's spotlighted farm. The farmers will be speaking about the food and farming in Colorado. Four courses cost $45; menus TBA and subject to change depending on what is ready for harvest! For reservations call 303.477.4141 or visit http://www.duodenver.com/reservations.html

Friday October 3, 2008 – 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Mountain Bushels and Bottles - A Seasonal Celebration of Local Flavor
Hosted by Cook Street School of Fine Cooking and Slow Food Denver
Cook Street School of Fine Cooking
1937 Market Street, Denver 80202

Calling all local foodies! Join Slow Food Denver and Cook Street School of Fine Cooking on Friday October 3rd for our first annual Rocky Mountain Bushels and Bottles - A Seasonal Celebration of Regional Flavor. Cook Street chefs will prepare and showcase seasonal products from some of Colorado's finest local food producers. Attendees will sample seasonally inspired small plates paired with local wine and beer while perusing an outdoor farmers market on the Cook Street Patio. Hear from local food producers and meet Cook Street School of Fine Cooking's talented chefs. Don't miss this fabulous event benefiting Slow Food Denver. Cost: $65/person. Register online at http://www.cookstreet.com/news_and_events_rec.php