Pulling Dads Sweet Corn

Ever since childhood, a  family tradition revolved around my dad's yearly sweet corn. When the corn was ready we would walk the fields and pull the ears of corn off the stalk by the dozens. When sweet corn reaches its peak ripeness and is ready to be harvested, one indicator to look for is the corn silk turning a dark brown color. This change in color signifies that the corn is mature and at its optimal sweetness for picking off the stalk. Observing the corn silk is an important aspect of determining the readiness of sweet corn, ensuring that you enjoy the best flavor when you decide to harvest it. Many locals would look forward to it every year, eager to stock up on corn to eat and for their canning endeavors. It really is some of the sweetest corn you can get your hands on.

There have maybe been a handful of times that the corn did not yield as much due to drought or flood. Once the last ears are gathered and the bucket’s are loaded onto the truck, the fields fall silent once more, awaiting the next season and the next harvest. And so, the tradition of pulling sweet corn continues, a timeless dance between farmer and field, nature and nurture.