forget thanksgiving for a better holiday
Thanksgiving is a made up holiday, unlike national bittersweet chocolate and almonds day or American beer day. It’s not like it’s stood the test of time or anything. So, it’s time to forget thanksgiving for a better holiday. Today is national Maize day. That’s right: corn, or as the natives called it maize has been around since ancient times. Thanksgiving has only been a thing for about 400 years. And, maize is enjoyed by all species, not just humans. Also, you can eat maize without killing something like a turkey.
Maize is now a part of daily life in everything from margarine to soda to compostable take out containers and flatware. It’s not just for breakfast anymore. And, it comes in a staggering variety of types. There are 6 to 10 major classifications. But, there are a couple thousand varieties. The corn most of us see on our dinner tables is sweet and moist. But there are more utilitarian versions that are far more widespread. In fact when the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, the corn they had was not the sweet version we celebrate today. It was a mealy version, much like that used for grits and cornbread. It was more of a grain than a vegetable.
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Corn will help us forget thanksgiving for a better holiday
So, when My cousin Vinny asked about magic grits, he wasn’t far off. The corn used in grits is the same stuff that helped build this nation into the world leader it is today. And, we have the indigenous tribes of America to thank for teaching us about it. Which is why today is also known as National Native American Heritage day. And, as Western and Eastern invaders of this country, it’s something we should all take seriously. We brought industry, vision, and society to this land But, the indigenous tribes brought respect of nature and the world as it is. The original pilgrims actually respected and thanked the natives. But, subsequent generations destroyed their world and tried to wipe their kind off the planet.
Some people consider this a rewriting of history. But, it’s actually a recognition of a history that has been glossed over. Europeans came to America, and took land for their own purposes. They deliberately tried to eliminate entire tribes. And, it’s not like this is ancient history. The pope recently came to Canada to apologize for the brutal schools where native children were stripped of their identities in the name of the Catholic church. This happened within the last 50 to 100 years. Progress in society is not only measured by modern conveniences, but, by the recognition of past failures and atrocities. So, let’s start on the path to realizing what LBJ called the Great Society by accepting the good and bad in our world, and striving to make things better. A holiday dedicated to Maize and the people who introduced us to it is a good place to start.
At the risk of being corny…
While progressing as a society is mostly measured by technological advances, taking the time to re-examine history and right the wrongs of the past is even more important. Guillotines and nooses are things of the past because we have grown to see them as cruel. But, many people don’t want to hear that we did bad things to people or other living beings. So, that’s why a holiday dedicated to native heritage is so important. And, it goes hand in hand with Thanksgiving. Thus, the celebration of maize, one of the most life changing ingredients should be a big thing. Just look at Tariq from Tok Tok. He loves corn for the beautiful thing that it is. But, it goes so much further. Maybe it’s time to replace the Monty Python Spam song with the word corn: Corn, corn corn, corn. Lovely corn, wonderful corn…
So, we’ll leave it to you to delve further into history, and, at the very least, raise awareness of how much further we need to go as a society. But, in the meantime, we can celebrate Maize in ways that recognize industrial progress, as well as native traditions. Today, we bring you a Grilled Corn polenta recipe that celebrates a couple different variations of corn. For those unfamiliar, polenta is an Italian dish similar to grits. It starts with fine ground corn meal cooked in a pot with liquid and cheese. There are many different versions. Today, we want to add in fresh corn on the cob to celebrate Maize day. So, let’s forget thanksgiving for a better holiday.
Your recipe
While the simplest polenta is 4 parts water to 1 part corn meal and not much else, we want to make it something a little more special. So, we use cream instead of water, add herbs, garlic, and fresh corn. You can substitute vegan creams or other liquids for vegan versions, as well as use fake cheese. We suggest serving with a chunky tomato ragout or similar for a truly flavorful experience.
Grilled Corn Polenta
Ingredients
- 1 Cups Polenta meal (fine ground corn meal)
- 4 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh garlic
- 1 Tbsp each Basil, Thyme and oregano, fresh, chopped
- 2 Ears Fresh Corn
- olive oil for cooking
- 1 Cup Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Cup Shaved Mozzarella Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat a grille or grille pan to high heat. Spray shucked corn with pan spray and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grille until cooked, but not burned, about 2 minutes per side, turning frequently. Allow it to cool, then cut off the corn from the cob. You can use the cob to make a corn stock or flavor a chowder.
- In a heavy rondeau (High sided pan) heat a coating of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until aromatic. Add the cream and bring to a boil. Taper the heat back to a simmer and whisk in the polenta. Be sure to mix it well, so it is smooth without lumps. Turn the heat down a bit and continue cooking and stirring until it thickens, but is still a little creamy.
- Fold in the cheese, herbs, corn, and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and serve hot with a nice chunky tomato ragout or another of your favorite toppings like a bean stew.