Once again, the month of August is mild and offers a host of harvests, including Quebec’s much-loved sweet corn. You can find it at your local Marchés Tradition retailers. Why not take advantage of this abundance to organize a roast with family or friends? Here’s how to honour this tradition, which gives rise to good times . . . packed with flavour and fun!
A chore that leads to celebration
You might think that the corn roast is a purely Quebec tradition. But that’s not entirely true: the Americans and the French used to gather to husk corn in groups during harvest. And as early as the 16th century, at the time of New France, local settlers invited their entire neighbourhood to help carry out this task more quickly and in a fun way. They could then store the corn in a variety of ways for the winter. The chore often ended in a big feast with unlimited corn for all.
To each their own cooking method
While it lends itself to various cooking methods, corn is very versatile—it can be prepared indoors, when the weather is bad, or outdoors under the sun, when Mother Nature is feeling generous.
Boiled
The most traditional method of cooking corn is to boil it on the stovetop. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Peel the ears, removing the husk and tassels. Immerse the corn in water and let cook for 5 to 7 minutes. The corn is ready when the kernels are tender but still crunchy.
In the microwave
Pressed for time? Leave the cobs in their husks and place them directly in the microwave. Cook them on high, about 4 to 5 minutes per cob. The husks retain moisture, which allows the corn to steam. Then let them cool for a few minutes before shucking them.
Directly on the grill
To give a smoky and slightly caramelized flavour to the corn, fire up your BBQ! Peel the ears, leaving some of the husk attached to the base. The goal is to remove thickness, while ensuring that the remaining leaves cover the ear. Remove the silky tassels, then fold the leaves back onto the cobs. Immerse them in cold water for 20 minutes: this way, the leaves won’t burn on the grill. Then place the cobs on the hot grill and cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn them over from time to time. You can also remove the husks at this time to further score your corn on the grill.
En papillote
This method allows you to cook the cobs on the BBQ or in the oven. Remove some of the leaves so that only a few are left to cover the cob, then wrap the cobs in foil. Place them on the BBQ or in the oven at about 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes.
For a successful roast…
… chose your corn with care
To ensure they’re as fresh as possible, buy your corn the day before the roast or the day of. Look for ears with green leaves and no dried or dark silk tassels.
If you need to get the corn in advance, store it on the top shelf of the refrigerator, still in its husks.
… opt for variety
To please all taste buds, consider serving your corn with flavoured butters. Think garlic, sundried tomatoes, basil, and fresh parsley, or garlic, sriracha sauce, lime zest, and chopped fresh ginger. An Indian-style butter with curry powder, chopped fresh cilantro, lime juice and zest, as well as cayenne pepper is also sure to delight your guests. Otherwise, your creativity will certainly give rise to tasty combinations. Trust yourself and experiment!
For a guaranteed crowd pleaser, you can offer grilled Mexican street corn, also known as elotes. The corn is cooked on the grill, with a sauce or flavoured butter, then garnished with cilantro, lime juice, and grated cheese before being served. Super simple, our recipe for steakhouse corn is also sure to impress your guests.
… don’t forget the essentials
In addition to setting an inviting table outside, with a pretty tablecloth (which you can throw straight into the wash after the party), make sure to provide paper bags to pick up the leaves and cobs; everything can then be placed in the compost.
Corn holders are always a welcome touch. They prevent everyone from burning their fingers on the hot cobs and butter from dripping onto hands and arms. Also provide toothpicks and dental floss: your guests will thank you!
… entertain the kids
To keep the little ones occupied while the adults chat, provide them with a cornhole, croquet, or badminton set, or frisbees and water guns, etc.
Got leftovers?
If you have leftover corn, try making this creamy corn and crab-flavoured dip, perfect served with corn chips, or whip up a pot of creamy corn soup.
Keep an eye out for the arrival of corn in grocery stores and get ready to send out invitations for a memorable summer roast!
