All About Corn
Native Americans from Canada to South America had been cultivating corn for thousands of years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. And much like today, Native Americans and early settlers ate fresh corn as a vegetable; they dried and cooked it as cereal like grits or corn meal mush and, of course, ground it into meal for breads and tortillas. Corn silks were used for medicinal purposes, stalks and shucks were used to build houses, and cobs were burned to provide heat. More recently, we have learned to make corn syrup, extract oil, and even make fuel from this seemingly humble grain.
Southern Corn Culture
Although eaten all over the country, Southern cooks have excelled in creating a variety of uses for corn and especially, corn meal. Corn was easier and more productive to grow than wheat on family farms across the South, so corn and cornbread became the daily sustenance of the Southern diet. Lacking the protein that produces elastic dough, corn is much less versatile to use for baking than wheat flour. So it is a tribute to the incredible ingenuity of Southern cooks that they were able to develop an abundance of uses for corn meal to sustain them through the good times and bad.
Giving Thanks for Corn
The first Thanksgiving is steeped in myth and legend, but most historians will agree that the Pilgrims were very thankful for a good corn crop that would get them through the winter ahead. Southerners continue to celebrate this gift with traditional corn and corn meal recipes at Thanksgiving and all through the year.
Classic Cornbread Dressing is certainly one of the most anticipated dishes on the Thanksgiving table. There are probably as many versions of cornbread dressing as there are good Southern cooks, but generally, dressing is a combination of cooked cornbread, biscuits, or other bread. It is usually seasoned with onions, celery and sage, moistened with broth, and baked in a dish or pan until crisp and golden brown.
Favorite Corn Recipes
Southern Spoonbread is essentially a soufflé and considered the most elegant of Southern corn meal recipes. Served as an accompaniment to roast meats or game, this delectable creation is also perfect for a holiday brunch or luncheon. Sweet Corn Custard Cornbread is really a fusion of cornbread and spoonbread. Made with a convenient mix enriched with corn, sour cream and butter, this cornbread is a delicious accompaniment to soups or stews for a casual holiday gathering.
And we certainly don't want to forget about grits, the coarsely ground corn served daily with breakfast in many parts of the South. Grits casseroles enriched with eggs and cheese, like Garlic Cheese Grits Casserole, are another favorite for brunches.