Ears of sweet corn make their way from fields to picnic tables all season long. This summer staple dates to primitive civilizations in Central America and Mexico. Maize, as it was known, was cultivated by Native Americans and shared with European explorers and settlers.
NUTRITION: Sweet corn is a great source of protein and vitamin C. Each half-cup serving has 90 calories (before you add the butter and salt).
HOW TO CHOOSE: When choosing ears of corn, select ones that are stored in a cool place and have tight, green husks with plump kernels. Canned and frozen corn have almost the same nutrient content as fresh sweet corn.
HOW TO STORE: Store unhusked sweet corn in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it by blanching whole ears for five minutes and then cutting the kernels off the cob.
HOW TO USE: Nothing beats a steamy fresh ear of sweet corn, but you can also try your hand at grilling ears of corn or adding sweet corn to summer salad recipes. Or create your own corn salsa recipe for the next picnic’s crowd-pleaser.