Growing Rainbow Corn & What Does It Taste Like?

In this video, I share my experience in growing rainbow corn also known as gem, glass, and Aztec corn also give my thoughts on what it tastes like and if it's worth growing.

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Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland Australia about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)

[neatofication]

I’m Mexican... you can make “corn tortillas”. Those are used in many Mexican foods. Also, you could make something called “masa” with it for Tamales. It’s like a dough. You make it then slather it onto dry corn leaves that have been softened in a bit of warm water. Then you take a spoonful of prepared meat (cooked with spices and chile sauce) and put it in the middle of the raw dough. Then wrap it up into a little bundle and tie it with a strip of corn leaf. After you’ve done that until you run out, put your tamales in a pot to steam them. After a while take them out and let them cool so it kinda hardens a bit. This is essentially like Mexican polenta sandwiches lol. Anyway, everyone I know likes them, you can even put olives, potato and carrots slices in them. Or make a sweet version. Plenty of recipes online. If you can’t find the products in Australia (chiles and corn leaves would be the most difficult) I’m sure you can grow your own n dry them. #selfsufficient

[bluevireo]

When I was a little girl I would sneak into the farmers field next to my home and look for the most beautiful rainbow corn I could find. I would string long beautiful necklaces and let them dry in the sun. I was so young I had no idea I wasn't supposed to be in the field! Summer days long ago in the great lakes region of New York State. I can still recall going barefootl down the rows and playing hide and seek with the neighborhood children. ...Simpler times...my heart pains and pines away for those days...my own children will never know.

[luccianodfs]

IN PERU WE CULTIVATE A PURPLE CORN, WE MAKE IT INTO A DRINK CALLED CHICHA MORADA. DELICIOUS.

[connielabarr]

I grew blue corn. Yesterday I found a recipe for a yeast bread that included cornmeal. I ground up some of the blue corn and used it. One of the best breads I’ve ever made. A 2 lb loaf called for 2/3 cup cornmeal.

[OrfaGF]

Try cooking them as we Mexicans do, “elote sancochado” basically you boil the corn in hot water with salt, the corn has to have its “covers” not overly thick, you have to take off the excess; once the corn is soft you take it out of the water, take out the “covers” and then season them with different things depending off the person: 1. Lime juice and salt. 2. Sour cream and cheese (we use “queso sopero” it’s a “dusty” kind of cheese) and in both cases there’s people that put in “Chile molido” grounded chilis for a spicy corn. This is street food in Mexico it’s not supposed to be sweet, it’s sour, salty or spicy.

[odddadout]

I live in Arizona and I actually grow glass gem corn as a winter crop. I plant in the fall and harvest in late winter/ early spring.

[JonShep]

That kernel tube / remover is brilliant! Once I get myself some land again I might have to give them a try! Used to have an allotment in the UK. Recently moved to WA and currently not got any growing space unfortunately!

[tommiestrydom]

That would be great as "panko" crumbs on fish. You should connect the cob to a cordless dril. Will go much faster

[keetrandling]

Can I just say how very much I enjoy your videos?
Not just for the education, but I'm drawn to your enthusiasm for the whole process of growing food, and your obvious deep respect for the wonderful God-given gift of this beautiful earth.

[inyayardhomestead]

G'day mate, you got some nice colours there. I just harvested my Aztec corn not that long ago and got some great colours, it's like opening a present I get so excited to see what colours I've got.
Stay safe and God bless you guys.

[GaiaD]

I love how you covered all the many different ways we can use this plant (cooking, chicken feed, compost, etc.)!! 😊 And I love that DIY corn kernelling tool, nice work 😀

[AliciaIbarreta]

That ground corn would make delicious corn bread, made with buttermilk is my favorite. A southern favorite in the US. Love your videos, thank you!

[thetinyshinylife]

We love watching you mate! You’re what Gardening Australia used to be. Keep it up! No need to split the channel imo, if people like watching you they’ll want all of it in one spot 👍🏻👍🏻👏🏼👏🏼

[madammim]

i grow a variety here in NC called Painted Mountain, good for popcorn too

[sam-fzmb]

One of the things I loved about growing rainbow corn for the first time last year was the roulette of what it would look like when you harvested it - always unique and different! I also managed to get a friends child into plants as they took a seedling and looked after it until the ‘unicorn corn’ as they called it was ready :)

[classymom]

You can make cornmeal, cornbread, corn pie, festivals, dumplings, tortillaz, taco shells and porridge.

[ChrisSandov]

As many others have stated, you can boil the dried kernels in with cal or lye (Alkaline), then remove the shells and the you have hominy, great for soups. Grind up the hominy and you have tortilla "dough" (masa), just cook on a hot iron and you have fresh corn tortillas

[paulraysam]

Here in uganda that type of corn is common we have a variety thank u for your videos

[jammin]

Polenta can be eaten a lot like grits (more savory) or can be cooled and cut into rounds and pan friend. Very good.

[KaiserGibran]

Great video! I'm super glad to know ancient varieties of corn are being grown so far away! Cheers from Mexico!