Finally Heirloom Popcorn

The long wait for local popcorn and beans is over, this week I visited a fellow farmer to use his thrasher.

The truck packed tight with all the popcorn and beans
The truck packed tight with all the popcorn and beans

This was a speedy way for me to shell all the popcorn and dried beans that I had harvested at the end of the summer. This year I grew Pennsylvania Dutch Butter popcorn and Dakota Black popcorn. For dried beans I grew Silver Cloud, Jacob’s Cattle, Saturday Night Special, Calypso, and California Black-eye peas.

Dakota Black being shelled
Dakota Black being shelled

I’ve been missing my farm grown popcorn as I like eat popcorn year round. I think of it as its own food group. Heirloom popcorn has a nutty flavor but any topping is a great choice. I’m a big fan of rosemary, garlic, olive oil and nutritional yeast. Though some days I just add salt. I tend to like my popcorn with savory toppings but I’ve been working on perfecting a maple syrup version of kettle corn. My favorite way to make my popcorn is over the stove top but the heirloom popcorn will pop in an air-popper or even in the microwave.

PA Dutch Butter after being shelled
PA Dutch Butter after being shelled

Popcorn kernels are non perishable and will last an incredibly long time when store in an airtight container like a mason jar. The heirloom popcorn will be available for sale at the Sonoma farmers’ market until Christmas or online, shipping anywhere within the Untied States. During these cold grey post-election days few things are as comforting as a big bowl of popcorn shared with those you love.