I don;t know i am on the fence with this one. i wou;d try a bit if it were made and offered only because i will try anything once.
Nothing warms the heart of a plant pathologist more than a really nice plant disease. Ustilago maydis (the fungus that causes corn smut) produces millions of black spores that overwinter in debris and infect the corn silk at the time of pollination. So instead of a grain of corn, the individual kernel becomes a huge fruiting body full of fungus mycelium, aka a mushroom. Uninfected kernels mature as usual.
I would advise being very sure that they are fresh, or they will turn into a black mess of spores.
Another factoid: this fungus affects mostly sweet corn. Field corn is rarely infected.
I think Richard always prefers things prepared simply - he really loves his veggies, which is probably the reason they are so wonderful!
We had some smutty corn back when we grew corn (out in Norvell). I even knew what huitlacoche was. But we must have waited too late to try to harvest it, because it certainly did not look like what you have! Glad you enjoyed it.
Does huitlacoche cost as much as truffles? In Little Italy the other day M and I looked at a jar of black truffles that were no bigger than a couple large grapes and they wanted 30 bucks for them. The white truffle oil was 26 bucks for a bottle like vanilla extract.
Shayne - it is a bit weird, but I'm fond of trying new things too. I'd eat any vegetable at least once. Can't say the same for animal stuffs.
Buttercup - thanks for the explanation. I think mushrooms in general are weird hybrid creatures, and this has to be one of the odder ones.
Jen - I think you're right about Richard. He does love to taste his wonderful vegetables.
Tricia - how long before Tantre offers corn mushrooms in the farm share do you think? They used to have burdock root. This is a lot better than burdock, IMHO.
Rich - how much is huitlacoche in TJ or SD? Here it was $3 for the pint basket in the photo. Plenty enough for 2 peoples.
Also, I need some news about your farmer's market foray! Photos too please. Guest blogging? Here's your chance!
Kim
Hey Kim, hopefully they won't have enough corn mushrooms to put some in every share box! Because wouldn't that be bad for the corn crop?? But if we do get some, I could give you ours, 'cause I'm not big on fungal foods...
For what it's worth, they have more today! (wednesday, july 23) Those of you who feared you missed out, have not.
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