Crazy about Corn

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Some fun facts about growing corn: Planted corn thrives when the soil temperature reaches 60ºF—two to three weeks after the last frost of spring is a good estimate. Depending on the variety and the amount of heat during the growing season, corn takes between 60 to 100 days until it’s ready to be harvested. It grows well in air temperatures from 60ºF up to as hot as 95ºF. We source sweet corn from a variety of farms in our region each summer, including Shaul Farms in Fultonham, NY, as well as Paul Mazza Farms in Essex, VT, and Plainville Farm in Hadley, MA,—some of the best in the corn-growing game.

With summer in full swing, you’ll want to fire up the grill, and a lot of delicious recipes start with perfectly grilled corn. Here’s a method that’s a favorite of our local farmer partners. First, pull the husks down and remove all of the silk. Soak the ears in water for one hour. Drain them, pull the husks back up and tie the tops with a strip of husk or twine. Place the ears on a grill over hot coals (or low flame), and roast them slowly for 20 to 25 minutes. The result? Kernels bursting with sweet juice and nutty flavor.

For crowd-pleasing Mexican street corn, slather those grilled cobs with a mixture of finely-crumbled Cotija cheese (or feta), Mexican crema (or sour cream), mayonnaise, chopped fresh cilantro and chili powder. Garnish with extra cheese and freshly-squeezed lime, and serve. Alternatively, you can slice the kernels off the grilled cobs and blend with the mixture to turn it into an easy-to-eat side salad. For a simple, summery main dish, break ears of corn into thirds and thread them onto skewers along with sliced smoked sausage and your favorite fresh veggies. Brush with Italian dressing and grill to perfection.

We’ve been partnering with local farms since 1932, and it’s because of their hard work that we’re able to offer fresh, regional produce in our stores each year. Whichever way you choose to enjoy your sweet corn this summer, make sure to stop by your Price Chopper or Market 32 for the freshest ears around.