We try to avoid plants that take a lot of space in the garden and give a single harvest. Corn is one of them. Not only are they large, but they can grow quite tall and block the sun from other plants too. So, we'd decided years ago not to grow them. However, when we saw 'Kulli' corn in the Baker Creek catalog, we had to try it!
'Kulli' corn is also called 'Maiz Morado'. Said to be one of the darkest corns. It's an ancient variety from Peru.
Kulli was a pleasant surprise. First of all, they grew quite tall, like 12 feet or more! Luckily we had planted them outside our fenced gardens, away from all other plants. The ears they produced were anywhere from well-shaped and well-formed to having an ear within another to three ears all together to ears with greens coming out at the top!
We picked some young and ate them raw. Some of the tiny ones were added to soups, turning the soups dark purple! A couple of them were large and well formed.
We also made 'Chicha Morada', said to be a very popular drink in Peru. For that, boiled some of the leftover dry corn, pineapple pieces, cloves and cinnamon. Did not add sugar. Instead added honey after it cooled down. We enjoyed it! Will be planting a lot more of this corn starting next year.
Thank you for reading Dispatch № 16.
