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101

04:02 PM Jul 26, 2012

YourGardenShow

Otricoli, Italy

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Corn smut...I wanna eat it! I had a really hard time deciding which forum to post this to because I can't really consider this a pest since I am thrilled about it. Corn smut is an incredibly delicious dish in Mexico called Huitlacoche, the Nahuatl word for "Raven's s*#&". Doesn't sound enticing but it is amazingly good; a more earthy, rich flavor while holding on to a little of the sweetness of the corn. It is black in color and I think could be another "black gold".

I'm very happy that I've found corn smut growing from the stalk of one of our corn plants. I've read that to help the fungus inoculate the ears you can cut the stalk. Can anyone give me any corn smut know-how to help me spread it instead of get rid of it?! We will happily have you over for quesadillas de huitlacoche in return!

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Latest post Aug 21, 2012 by Groundskeeper

153

01:19 PM Jul 30, 2012

Clenram

Floresville, TX

usda zone 8b

I have heard of the smut and it is a great thing! I do not have any experience with growing it, but I do know that it is a fungus and thus it produces spores. I would think that you could rub the smut spores on the silk of the corn plants and it would spread.

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101

04:35 PM Jul 30, 2012

YourGardenShow

Otricoli, Italy

@Clenram: I actually just did that this afternoon. After a little research I decided I would score the base of the stalk, as I read the Aztecs did to cultivate the fungus since it is water borne and can climb through the stalk that way. I also read about Silk Channel Inoculation, so I decided to do both. We tried it out on 12 plants; I will report on how it goes!

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153

08:27 PM Jul 31, 2012

Clenram

Floresville, TX

usda zone 8b

@YourGardenShow: Good deal!

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613

10:30 PM Aug 21, 2012

Groundskeeper

YourGardenShow.com

Given the esteem of corn smut in Mexican cookery, I've always wondered about the taste and how to cook it. Apparently some folks call it a corn truffle. Whoa! Can't wait to hear the results of your adventure.

Meanwhile, why don't a few Iowa farmers specialize in making corn smut by the ton? Inertia is the answer, or tradition if that's a kinder word. But, grow it here, in corn country, and sell it elsewhere.

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