Properly treated and cooked, corn, which was a native dietary staple almost everywhere it
grows, for 4,000 years, is as nutritious as wheat, and may be more so if what is grown in
minearl-depleted soil with chemical fertilizers. Fresh corn nowadays has been bred up to be
much higher in sugar -- 2 - 4 times higher -- than the colorful, traditional 4-colors corn,
which is still a taste treat (and nutritional bonanza) if you can get it.
To roast the fresh corn: just put them (in their husks) in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes.
Husks and silk will peel off easily. Then scrape off kernels, standing cob in a big frypan to
catch them. Depending on the ears, it will take 2-4 ears to make 1 1/2 cups of kernels.
Cornhusk tamale wrappers: The ones you just prepared are probably dried out and
frizzeled. If you've saved and dried husks, steep them in boiling water to cover (poured over
them, not cooked) while roasting and scraping the corn. Otherwise, you'll have to use foil
wrappers.
Simmer milk and corn for about 10 minutes. Strain the corn, reserve the milk, and puree 1/2
cup of the kernels with this milk, reserving the rest for putting in the tamale dough. Add the
puree to the masa, mix vigorously with spoon and whisk. In a separate large bowl, whip the
soft butter, baking powder, and salt together until very fluffy. Start adding the masa mixture
about 1/4 cup (guesstimated) at a time whisking and beating vigorously after each dough
addition. Spend 15 minuts at least beating the masa mix into the butter. Fold in the green
chile, the remaining cup of corn kernels, and grated cheese.
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 Tbsp each. Pat each piece into a rectangle on
a trimmed cornhusk to form a square or rectangle, leaving a husk border at the edges of the
tamale at least 1 inch. Now fold up the rectangle along the length of the cornhusks and
pinch it into a roll, loosely. Roll the husk up completely around the dough roll. Tie the ends
with strips of cornhusk (traditional), or string (easier). The wrapping shouldn't be totally
tight, so steam can get in. Place the wrapped tamales seam-side down on the rack of any
kind of steamer (wok with a rack and tight cover will do, I use big enameled cast-iron frypan
with tight lid). Tamales shouldn't touch the boiling water. Steam for 30 minutes. Let cool
slightly and serve (diners unwrap their own) with any kind of hot tomato or other type of
sauce. Those celebrating New Corn eat it without sauce, but fat or butter is sometimes
available.--Frybread--Tasty Symbol of all-Indian unity--Native cookbooks --Nutrition info, cookbooks for kids--Wild rice recipes --Maple sugar/syrup recipes--Corn, hominy, cornmeal -- Beans and Greens--Squash, pumpkin --Deermeat, Meat--Fish, birds --Fruit and BerriesNative Foods -- Recipes--Corn
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