Sunday, March 29, 2009

Happiness in a Greasy Napkin

You probably would never know that something as simple as roasted corn could bring about states of pure bliss ... unless you've had the opportunity to sample the roasted corn at the South Pasadena Farmer's Market. All the joy in the world is as close as a few juicy, semi-caramelized kernels slathered in butter and lemon. If Nietzsche had ever gotten a chance to nab one of these corn cobs, he'd have ended up writing greeting cards and volunteering as a clown at kids' birthday parties. Seriously: it makes you feel that good.

I understand the corn vendors also have baked yams, but I've never made it past their star offering. Why trade rapturous delight for a yam?

19 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

No, I'm a believer. There certainly are people who swear by their corn. I know - one of my foodie girlfriends, "just has to have it!"

LA, did you make our latest blogger gathering yesterday in AltaDena??

Jilly said...

Corn on the cob. It's so long since I had that. I wish...

You rarely see it here, not in the markets except sealed, two to a packet, in shrink-wrap which I never fancied.

Virginia said...

Oh my, memories of Neenah Wisconsin where our neighbors put corn on the grill and then we peeled the husks back, dipped in a vat of melted butter and my oh my!!! Great photograph too L. The light and delight are marvelous.
V

1916home.net said...

Well, it's probably better than a warm gun :)

Susan C said...

I'm there! I didn't realize there was a roasted corn vendor at the SPFM.

A corn vendor came to Santa Monica Beach for a few weeks, but then disappeared.

Ever eat it with mayo, the way they ate it in that Jack Black wrestling movie?

Mister Earl said...

Some sweet corn is so wonderful you can eat it without even cooking it.

Yakpate said...

If there is a delight to be sampled in South Pasadena, you surely will find it!

I LOVE corn... but lately, at Vons, their packaged corn has suspiciously large, uniform kernels and very little of the sweet corn taste... I suspect they are genetically altered. YUK! You've motivated me to visit my local farmers market in search of the real thing.

Margaret said...

I've had the corn. It is the best.

Dixie Jane said...

Corn on the cob. How could anything so basic be so delicious? We can thank the American Indians for their introduction. I even ate hominy as a child, made from corn and soaked in ashes and it puffs up. You could buy it canned. But the real taste thrill is as you describe, and dripping in butter.

Tash said...

I had roasted corn in NYC for the 1st time in years. But it doesn't compare with your description. Lovely photo.
Missed you at the Alta-dena picnic. Sorry you couldn't make it. I don't think anyone from Baja (Pasa)dena was there.

TheChieftess said...

Years ago I visited past in-laws with my first husband. While there, we picked corn from a field, and within 20 minutes were tasting the most incredibly sweet, tender corn I've ever had...can you believe I had 10 ears in one sitting!!!

Judy Williams said...

From Buddhas to corn - aren't blogs great? :~)

I cannot wait to return - I didn't get to sample that corn when we were there. Hopefully in JUNE!!!

USelaine said...

Ah, well, but now you've touched on my earliest food memory -- no older than three years, sitting on living room floor in pajamas, watching TV, eating warm mashed garnet yam with a knob of butter from a small ceramic mug. Pure comfort food.

San Diego Farmgirl said...

I do love corn on the cob, but if you can't look past the corn to the yams ... are ya sure yer doin' it right? Apparently, I need to try this corn.

dbdubya said...

When I was young, my dad couldn't eat corn on the cob because of false teeth. But, since he loved fresh corn, he didn't let that stop him. He would take a knife and skin the corn off the cob and eat it out of a bowl. He could strip the corn off the cob faster than my mom could shuck the corn.

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks for sharing all those memories, everyone! I think the Chieftess should win something for 10 ears in one sitting. That's up there with those Japanese competitive hot dog eaters! Although, I must admit, I am never satisfied with one Farmer's Market roasted corn cob and I always want to go back for seconds...

I see that Uselaine and Farmgirl are big yam fans. I have had any good memories of yams replaced with the ones where I was desperately trying to get my daughter to eat ANYTHING when she was being introduced to solid food. I wanted to slug the countless pediatricians, authors of parenting articles and well-meaning moms who insisted that all babies liked sweet potatoes...

And while we're on the subject, I'm sure Virginia and Dixie could tell us the difference between a yam and a sweet potato!

Tash, I would have loved to have gone to the picnic. I hope I can make the next blogger extravaganza.

Until tomorrow, everyone...

TheChieftess said...

I do think I should clarify that I ate 10 ears of corn in one sitting...about 25 years ago...not only was I capable of devouring all said ears, my metabolism was not any worse for wear at the time...at this point in time, one ear adds 5lbs!!!!

Laurie Allee said...

Are you kidding? Just thinking about that corn adds 5 pounds! (And worth every ounce... yummmmmmmmmmmm...)

BRAD FLETCHER said...

Life's greatest happiness is to be convinced we are loved. This is a quote by Victor Hugo and I firmly believe in it. Yours is a nice blog.