Hopi corn, a delicious heirloom

Late summer visitors to my home probably think they step into some kind of Weird Science experiment.  A dehydrator perfumes the air with dried tomato aroma, half-gallon Mason jars, filled with vinegar and herbs, line the back side of a counter, the butcher block and kitchen tables groan under the weight of hundreds of ripe tomatoes and strings of colorful peppers hang in the south-facing window.   Half-full glasses of murky liquids stand next to drying seeds and paper labels on glass plates fill every spare inch of available space.  Recently canned foods are ready to label and store in the basement pantry and even my dining room curtain rod holds a food ingredient, carefully tied between the open drapes.  Yes, Dear Guest, your eyes do not deceive you.  It is corn.

The dining room is a perfect drying environment for Hopi corn

Blue Hopi corn, to be precise.  For the past few years, Richard and I make a point to attend the Ashe County seed swap, an annual event where gardeners gather to share seeds, participate in workshops and network with other like-minded folks.  Admission is free and attendees take seeds with an honor system pledge to grow the plants and return the following year to share seeds with others.  A couple of years ago, I packaged my grandmothers' heirloom seeds and placed them on a table for others to take while I helped myself to pepper, bean and flower seeds.  An envelope of beautiful blue corn seeds intrigued me and I recalled a magazine article about Hopi blue corn.  Fortunately, the seed saver who grew this variety stood next to her seeds and we discussed the difficulties of protecting heirloom corn crops from marauding crows and raccoons as I ran my fingers over the kernels, noting the differences in color and size, unlike the cookie-cutter sameness of industrially produced seed.  The garnet red, indigo blue and deep pink mixture was beautiful.  I grabbed an envelope and scrawled "Blue Hopi Corn" on the front.  Scooping a handful into the opening, I thanked the seed saver and looked forward to planting at Heart & Sole.

Hopi corn silks are beautiful "redheads"

Later that spring, whirling pinwheels protected seedlings from crows and when silks formed, I applied a mist of mineral oil to each developing ear.  As harvest time neared, I tied a couple of Halloween toys in the stalks, motion-activated ghosts that screamed when anyone walked by, and their presence seemed to deter hungry raccoons.  I would love to have a photograph of those raccoons when they reached for an ear of corn and heard that unearthly noise! 

Sixty-four corn seeds grew strong plants and produced enough corn to eat fresh (deliciously sweet, while in milk stage), grind into grits and meal and dry seeds for the next year's planting.  The following year, I packed a large tub of kernels to return to Ashe County's seed swap and also shared with friends who were eager to grow heirloom corn, a crop that, like other heirloom plants, has been passed through generations of gardeners and produces consistent results.  Other seed, available from retail sources, may be genetically altered to produce higher yields, withstand drought and may even include insecticides that could harm our honey bees.  Since we love those hard-working girls, I refuse to grow any plant that is not beneficial to our pollinators.

Milk stage Hopi corn is sweet & white or yellow

Hopi blue is not for those who crave sugary sweet corn.  Large kernels have a fibrous texture and chewy substance, but for out-of-this-world cornbread or savory grits, Hopi corn is worth any protective measures a farmer can enact to produce a successful crop.

I realize readers are shaking heads and declaring only Silver Queen, Peaches and Cream and other super-sweet varieties are worth growing, but for my time and money, Hopi Blue is THE corn. Guests, take note: those colorful ears dangling from dining room curtain rods are not just rustic autumn decoration.  They are precious heirloom seeds, drying in an optimum environment, protected from pests, and their perpetuation may be crucial to our future food supply.

Mature Hopi corn, ready for drying

For information about how to save Hopi corn seed, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRuBcdNd8FI