At the Farmers Market: It's Sweet Corn Season

Summer is here and so are the summer rites of passage, with barbecues and sweet corn on top of the list.

Sweet corn is grown all over the world, but the United States is a leading grower, producing more than 35 percent of the world’s supply. Florida, California and Washington are the top sweet corn-growing states.

In Southern California, sweet corn is in season from May to October, with June, July and August being its peak months. Calabasas Patch found two varieties at the Calabasas Farmers Market on Saturday.

First of the season

Most sweet corn varieties in the U.S. are hybrids, like the bi-color corn. This barbecue staple usually has 80 percent yellow kernels and 20 percent white kernels, and was plentiful at the Underwood Family Farms booth.

Priced at 75 cents each or three for $2, ears of bi-color corn are “one of the sweetest, if not the sweetest, you’ll ever find around here,” said employee Peggy Eubanks.

Eubanks said their corn was picked the day before. “They get even sweeter later in the summer,” said the long-time employee of the Moorpark-based grower.

A few steps away, two other growers had another sweet corn variety in abundance. For 75 cents an ear, Berumen Farms of Westminster and Cordero Farms of Redlands, were selling white corn, a variety known for its smaller and sweeter kernels.

Sweet corn enjoyment

A member of the grass family, sweet corn is best eaten fresh like most vegetables. Corn-on-the-cob is the easiest and most common way to enjoy this summer delight.

In addition, it can also be sautéed and added to salsas and various types of cold salads.

When buying, poke one of the kernels at the tip. Juice should squirt out. If not, it usually means the corn is old.

Ideally, sweet corn should be full or almost filled to the tip with bright and shiny kernels in straight rows. The husks should appear fresh and bright green. The silk ends of the corn should be free of decay or damage.

The Calabasas Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday at 23504 Calabasas Road, across the street from the Sagebrush Cantina.