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Across the Fence:  Corn Smut Fungus...Yum?  |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 13 2015 : 3:20:21 PM
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Corn Smut Fungus! 
I recently took a class where I learned about Corn Smut Fungus. It is a fungus that grows on growing corn. However, in Mexico, it is a delicacy. The instructor brought in some to eat. It came in a can, and she served it with chips, like a dip. I had to try it.
It smelled like canned spinach. It looked black and shiny, slimy with bits of corn in it. It wasn't bad...kind of like a mushy mushroom. I would have added garlic and salt myself, but it wasn't horrible.
I am proud that I tried it.
Whoever decided to eat it first, I guess that is an example of when life gives you lemons make lemonade!
Anyone else ever heard of it? How about eaten it?
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
Edited by - texdane on Feb 13 2015 3:29:29 PM |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
7115 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
7115 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2015 : 3:45:34 PM
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I have never eaten it, but read about it when reading up on southwest Indians and their plants. I wouldn't be afraid to try it if it was prepared by someone who knew when and how to gather it. I don't know if I would trust myself to do it.
Nicole you get a gold star for trying it.
Edited: I looked up corn smut in 'Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden' as told to gilbert L. Wilson. The good kind grows on the corn - the bad kind grows on the stalk - good to know. This is an interesting book that's about an Indian woman's garden.
Sara
Walk in Peace - Live with Joy
FarmGirl Sister #6034 Aug 25, 2014 |
Edited by - YellowRose on Feb 13 2015 4:16:46 PM |
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CindyG
True Blue Farmgirl
293 Posts
Cindy
Fairfax
VA
USA
293 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2015 : 06:13:26 AM
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Nicole,
You DO get a gold star for trying it! I've seen it on "Chopped", and had to look it up the first time it was an ingredient in the basket.
With regards to who tried it first and why, that is a bit of a head scratcher. I've not tried it, but will if the opportunity arises. Maybe....
Cindy |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2015 : 1:14:51 PM
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I have never eaten it, but I read an article a couple of weeks ago about it!
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
True enlightenment is nothing but the nature of one's own self being fully realised-- His Holiness the Dali Lama
http://rachelsmithhhp.com
www.madameapothecary.com |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Feb 15 2015 : 4:15:34 PM
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I'd never heard about it before. I will try new things, but I draw the line at strange (to me) meats or things like insects. We were once served brains at a dinner. I couldn't even try it. But fungus? I love blue cheeses and mushrooms, so why not?
The corn smut wasn't bad. It'd be interesting to see some recipes...
Farmgirl hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Cozynana
True Blue Farmgirl
1123 Posts
Kem
1123 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2015 : 03:10:32 AM
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| We grow corn and curse smut. It is not a good thing for a corn grower. Maybe we need to rethink this and sell it as a delicacy.LOL |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2015 : 12:20:26 PM
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My husband is a retired mycologist so he knows all about it. Some farmers are actually trying to cultivate the smut. It can be profitable if they can get a strain that chefs like. I have brought a spread to classes and forays for people to try--cream cheese, garlic, little onion etc. It looks odd because it turns the cheese grey but after they try it they come back for more and I always return home with an empty container: )
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2015 : 05:03:29 AM
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JoAnn, what kind of classes do you teach?
Kem, LOL!
Farmgirl Hugs,
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE
Chapter Leader, Connecticut Simpler Life Sisters
Farmgirl of the Month, January 2013
Suburban Farmgirl Blogger
http://sfgblog.maryjanesfarm.org/ |
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Mountain Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
806 Posts
JoAnn
Colville
Washington
USA
806 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2015 : 11:04:39 AM
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My husband is the one who teaches (well use to)He still lead mushroom forays at the Wildlife Refuge near us. Twice a year the Spokane Mushroom Club holds their big mushroom foray at Priest Lake Id which is a hot bed for mushrooms. We have a pot luck dinner on Friday and Saturday and I like to bring the corn smut spread there. I have a note telling people what it is and a big Try it You'll Like it note nearby: )
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Across the Fence: Corn Smut Fungus...Yum? |
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Corn Smut Fungus...Yum?
