SEASONAL PRODUCE IN NIGERIA | MAIZE / CORN🌽 | TD's Kitchen

Year in and out, farmers cultivate and harvest this fibre rich crop 'maize' also known as 'corn' in some regions. It is a main cereal plant that pre dates 5000 years. Maize is cultivated here in Nigeria, in the North: May\June, in the South: March\April for early planting season while, late planting occurs July\August (Arguably, at this time ie. June, July and August corn is being harvested by farmers) Its at this time you find the roadside vendor roating fresh corn on their hot charcoal grill. Its a season you find those three fire place on the highway or mainroad/junction where corn is being cooked to perfection either with the skin on or not. Most times corn becomes really expensive in urban cities but when it is fully in season the price reduces a little (don't worry I'll be sharing an experience later on in the article). When corn is in season it is a time its enjoyed as a snack, where many find it hard deciding either to snack with Ube+Corn or Coconut+Corn a hard choice I must tell you but it all taste amazing. 

Corn is a kind of grain, usually with large yellow seeds, that is often eaten when cooked or roasted. 

Etymologically, If you call it 'Maize \ Corn' you are absolutely correct 'Maize' is said to have been borrowed from Spanish while, 'Corn' is from the Middle English or Old English. Zea mays is what its called Scientifically. US and UK English also identify corn\maize with names like; Green corn, Indian corn, Sweet corn and Sugar corn. In the major Nigerian languages, Corn is called by the Yorubas-  Àgbàdo, Igbo- ọka, Hausa- masara.

However, the Phoenician Theory attributed 'corn' to Africa. The two Phoenician words, "friqi" and "pharika." which was translated to corn and fruit, the assumption is that the Phoenicians christened Africa as "the land of corn and fruit." Corn \ Maize has been put into very good use by our descents they made use of corn in making many of our local rich flavor packed foods. Some of the products made from this crop can be used in making other mouthwatering products namely: Pap, Ogi, Akamu, Agidi, Eko just to mention a few. Some products made from corn is a raw material for another food product. It is usually found in season here in Nigeria as from June.

Corn is widely cultivated across Nigeria but I'm quite familiar with the SouthWestern part of the country. Take Òyó Town, the home of the Alaafin of Òyó (Imperial Majesty)  for example, corn / maize is cultivated all year round. Corn is seen as a staple by the natives. In Jobele market situated in Òyó its a market where numerous farm produce can be bought but their love for corn can't be easily overlooked. My first encounter with the market was during my Anthropological fieldwork in Òyó Town. I was craving corn and beans dish (Èwà Alágbàdo) badly at that time. I discovered that the corn / maize found in this place was used for numerous things and it's sold at a cheaper rate. I remember wanting to buy a dozen of corn back to Ibadan, Nigeria for myself and a family friend I remember buying for as low as N250. I ended up buying two dozens not to talk of the fisi or jara (ie extra) the seller gave me.

 Speaking of the numerous things done with corn here in the market, another section of the market you find corn being sundried this occurs for a very long period of time till its ready to be taken to the mill where its grounded into powder or paste form depending on what it wants to be used for.  

Sadly, the maize weevil called Sitophilus zeamais attacks the maize all year round the weevil begins its destruction right from the comb and feast on every single grain which overtime forms a powdery granule. The weevil attacks both standing crops and stored cereal products, including wheat, buckwheat, oat, barley, rye, rice, sorghum. 

It infests on stored products like: Pasta, cassava, milled grains. It has even been said to attack fruits too in storage, fruits such as apple. This shows that it affects farm produce on different stages.    

  

Purchasing fresh corn in the urban market, if we all want to be sincere with ourselves, we know how much this would cost in urban markets we find around us — even if somewhere deep down we all know those who sell to us in the urban market actually patronise these same set of people from the rural community. Should I call it a Nigerian thing, this is how the market chain of demand and supply has always been in this part of the world. I personally, look forward to the corn season because i want to get some beta-carotene from corn into my system and other essentials vitamins and minerals. I extremely, love corn / maize (as you wish to call it) because of its benefits. What about you?