Resurrecting corn, allelujah! Taste a bit of summer in your Thanksgiving.

Helllooooo, everybody! The Fresh Pioneer is back and I have something that will do you no good at all this Thanksgiving. (You're welcome.) But this coming summer, if you harken back to this post, you can follow the directions to make sure you have fresh corn for Thanksgiving 2015! You can't say I'm not a forward thinker.

So, my friend Stacey (of the secret recipe fame) recently sent me this e-mail about what they're having for Thanksgiving. Because I can't be there and good friends always want to know what the other one is eating, right?? Right.

(This is a random picture if sugar cookies I made last year. It's me, handing my sombrero-wearing hubby my heart. Awwwwwww..... He looks like a pirate! So dashing.)

(This is our good things jar. Around New Year's Day, we'll open it and read all the good things that have happened this year. It's STUFFED and it's only November!!!)

(Another random photo, this time of the birdcage this sits above my desk. It helps me think. I believe in the power of twinkle lights...)

Now that we've gotten the pretty pictures out of the way, I'm just going to cut and paste from her e-mail because I'm lazy and I don't think she'll sue me for plagiarism. I mean, I'm pretty sure she won't. I am but a poor author! 

     "First ,way back in September, we gleaned come corn from a farmer friend. We processed some for the freezer to enjoy at Thanksgiving.  

Need: 3-4 TBS of sugar, 6 ears if corn, ice, LOTS of ice, water, large bowl and big pot, also gallon size zip lock type freezer bags.

Directions:

1. Have all the cobs of corn shucked and silks removed before starting this.
2. Pour ice into a big bowl, then fill a third of the way with very cold water; set aside on the counter near your stove.
3. Now, over to the stove, fill the large pot less then half way with water and add in the sugar; bring to a full boil.
4. Add in as many cobs of corn that will fit into the pot without over crowding
5. Bring the water up to a FULL boil again; cook the corn JUST until the cobs turn a darker yellow which will not take long (about 3 minutes) turning the cobs over in the water, if necessary, using long tongs to guarantee  even cooking.
6. Just when the corn takes on a darker shade of yellow, use long tongs to grab out one ear and immediately plunge it into the bowl of ice water and allow to sit until completely cooled. Keep adding corn and ice as needed.
7. Place the cobs onto a clean tea towel to drain slightly.
8. Gather around 6 cobs in a large bag, then freeze

TaDa.. Now it is November: 

1. WHEN READY TO USE; remove as many cobs as you wish from the freezer place on the counter to thaw slightly (the corn does not have to be completely thawed)

 To heat the corn; place 1 cob into a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 3-4 minutes or until completely heated through, turning the cob halfway through cooking time-Very important

 or for a more even heating place 1 cob of corn into a Glad Simply Cooking Microwave Steaming bag, seal and microwave for 3 minutes.
(Your hostess here. I think Stacey staged this shot in her local big box store. I mean, nobody has a microwave THAT CLEAN.)

There will be hot liquid on the plate so be careful! Get rid of it before you serve.

The corn is now ready to eat and enjoy!

It can be done in the oven in larger quantities with more rotating. It is a bit chewy yet it is wonderful to bring out a plate during gatherings in the winter!

(Me, again!) So, thank you for sharing your tips and tricks for bringing corn back from the freezer, Stacey! And I must say, I do love your red butter dish. And your corn holders. And your absolutely gorgeous counters. I'm still planning on taking a writing retreat to your house some day. I'll be no trouble at all. I'll be very quiet... except for when I ring my little bell to let you know when to bring me sandwiches and warm up my coffee.

Oh, and here's Stacey's e-mail signature. HILARIOUS!

Surviving Savage, Montana with the help of lots of coffee.

 Until next time, everyone and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

State Fair Fun

I went to the NC State fair this week for the first time in a long time. A friend suggested we go together because our spouses, wonderful as they are in other ways, don't like going.

Farmer Julie and her Piggy friend, Diane. Yes, Diane deserves a blue ribbon.

As someone with allergies, the fair can be hit or miss. The aromas are calorie free but tempting. I focus on the displays first, the food second. But I was greeted by this as soon as I went through the gate:

Sigh. It smells so good and EVERYONE had an ear. But me.

We visited the produce section:

The winning pumpkin weighed in at 800 pounds this year.

The quilts and other crafts:

The home canning:

The cake decorating contest:

It was time for lunch so we headed to the Westover UMC Fair booth. One of my friends is pastor there but they also have the best chilidogs at the fair. At least if you only eat one every five years.  And as someone whose final exams in food microbiology consisted of diagnosing real cases of food poisoning at the State Fair, I make a point of eating at a church booth. I've worked em and know how clean they are!

I've also worked at the NC State Ice Cream booth. Nothing has changed in the three decades since I was dishing out cherry vanilla and chocolate mint for the food science club. Students still give you an awful lot of ice cream for the price. The milk comes from NC cows. And cherry vanilla is still my favorite. And no high fructose corn syrup. 

 

What has changed is turkey legs have taken over from italian sausage and onions in popularity.

My daughter and her boyfriend were brave enough to eat those monster turkey legs...and deep fried HoHos.

And my grandchildren are now going to the fair with my son and DIL.

They were so happy.

 And learning about the cycles of life and the precarious nature of fair fish.

Good thing the parents told them fair fish only live 24 hours!

That's worse than a case of fair food poisoning!  My poor babies. No more fair fish for them.

Except for the fish incident, it was a beautiful day to check out the farm animals, make a few carnies mad by taking their pictures, and appreciate all our state has to offer in terms of agriculture and talent.

So what about your fair experiences? Do you have a food item you MUST have? Or a display to check out? Do you ride the rides or play the midway? Best or worst experience? 

PS: Some of you may have seen the news story about the people tragically hurt at our fair on Thursday. Please be in prayer for the families of those affected.