Corn or maize has been a staple food of Native Americans for well over 4000 years. Archeologists have found pictures of maize drawn on the ancient ruins of the Aztecs, Incas, and North American tribes. The Wampanog Indians saved the lives of the starving pilgrims at Plymouth Rock by teaching them how to grow maize and prepare it for eating. However, maize was introduced to Europe long before the pilgrims ever set foot at Plymouth Rock. When Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas, he also found maize. He took the kernels back to Europe, and from there they spread all over the world. When it was taken to England, they changed its name to corn, which meant "a small particle or grain." The name stuck and only in a few places of the world is the little grain still called maize.
Corn is the third most important crop in the world. It is the staple food for many people in Africa, India, and China, as well as Native Americans. In other countries, however, it is used mostly to feed animals like cows and chickens. The United States is the leading producer of corn in the world, which is only fitting since it originated in the Americas.
This Corn recipe is from the Food Facts and History Cookbook. Download this Cookbook today.
