Bright Idea: Delectable Corn Fungus

Maclean's ^ | November 21, 2016

[nickcarraway]

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Problems happen when you start importing things like that.

Corn smut is tasty but if it infects the big fields we could lose the corn that feeds both humans and animals.

[Fiddlstix]

Bookmark

[ConservativeMind]

I have eaten this on a few occasions in quesadillas and it tastes good.

First, I understand “immigrants” have helped reintroduce this to the US, similar to how immigrants introduced us to Asian carp. Second, it is toxic in larger doses.

I like that people find ways to use everything they acquire, but this is worth removing from the planet with the speed it can spread.

[ptsal]

Asian carp....try the fish farmers in Arkansas or the university extension. The critters came here as an experiment that went wild, if my recollection is correct.

[jcon40]

Kellog’s Smut Flakes

[Fungi]

It is naturally occurring and nearly impossible to eliminate in any cornfield. It is not systemic and only occurs where the spore of the fungus, Ustilago maydis land. It turns the kernels into galls and reduces the size of the corn ear. It is available canned in Mexico and is usually eaten in a sauce, fried or in many other recipes. It rarely kills the corn plant. That it fetches a higher price is cultural, something Canadians will have to learn. One of the few parasitic fungi that are good--that is however subjective.

[posterchild]

Is it still contraindicated for pregnant women as it is a mycotoxin?

[JoeProBono]

[Calvin Locke]

... we could lose the corn that feeds both humans and animals.

"They" couldn't care less about that. You have to point out that it could impact the use of "food to fuel" to make overpriced, less efficient ethanol.

Then it may make them take notice if it's related to climate change.

[exDemMom]

That stuff looks gross. It would be hard to get past that appearance to eat it.

[Rebelbase]

Smutty woman.

[headstamp 2]

Steak and Corn Smut!

[Lion Den Dan]

Nothing to import as it is already here. It is a sure cure for constipation.

[mumblypeg]

I have never seen nor heard of this stuff, but if I can get $5-10 per cob for it at a farmer’s market, sign me up.

[Royal Wulff]

More like blight idea.

[piasa]

It’s not new, everyone who grows corn has it.

[piasa]

At the early stages it’s not gross at all, and smells great. Though it is startling to see if you went out to the corn field expecting to grab some pretty yellow or white ears for supper.
If no one tells you what it is you would assume your corn has cancer...

[editor-surveyor]

.
Its a parasite, not a fungus.

Think Misletoe, Oak gauls, etc.
.

[piasa]

But in Mexico, where it’s considered a delicacy and eaten in quesadillas and tacos, they use a more melodious word: huitlacoche (weet-la-KOH-chay).

Melodious, eh? Doesn't the author know what "huitlacoche" means?