A gift this week from Mother Earth... Huitlacohe, Corn Smut, fungus Ustilago maydis... has enchanted our garden corn. Huitlacoche first caught my eye many moons ago when a friend who recently moved to South America shared of this rare find in their new garden. She mentioned the delicacy and rarity of this anomaly. I remember seeing the photo and thinking, she is so brave, I would not eat that!
Fast forward several months to now, during my garden walk. Imagine my surprise, when I see this very same anomaly growing amongst the corn! It feels in my heart like a blessing and a gift. So, being a curious human, I begin several google searches to learn more about this new to me being. I remember a teaching from my acupuncturist regarding plants that show up in your garden and how they are often volunteers to heal you. The ancient Aztecs also believed in the mystical effects of this spore.
The call on my heart to cook this being up with much gratitude and appreciation won over my fear of something new... and rather black... it was DELISH!!
Fast forward several months to now, during my garden walk. Imagine my surprise, when I see this very same anomaly growing amongst the corn! It feels in my heart like a blessing and a gift. So, being a curious human, I begin several google searches to learn more about this new to me being. I remember a teaching from my acupuncturist regarding plants that show up in your garden and how they are often volunteers to heal you. The ancient Aztecs also believed in the mystical effects of this spore.
The call on my heart to cook this being up with much gratitude and appreciation won over my fear of something new... and rather black... it was DELISH!!
Corn smut cooked w/butter, salt & eggs - served w/tomatoes & green onions on corn tortillas. (left) Garden tomatoes & pea seeds (right)