Grating Corn

The next recipe to try in the Columbia Cookbook was Tamal en Cazuela or, in English, Fresh Grated Corn Mush.  The Spanish name is much more appealing, don't you think?  It called for grated corn, and mentioned that it could be found in the frozen section of the Latin market.  Well, we couldn't find any already prepared, so that meant we had to grate the corn ourselves.  It took 20 ears of corn to get the 5 cups we needed.  And that meant two trips to the store, because I figured 10 ears would be enough.  So, now you know, one ear of corn yields 1/4 cup grated corn (and 1/2 cup of regular corn kernels).

This splatters - notice I removed my glasses!

It really does look like mush.

This makes a lot - use the Dutch oven.

Lots of onions, green pepper and garlic.

Marinate the pork for several hours and then brown it in some peanut oil.

Before the grated corn was added.

So, basically if you want to make this, marinate 1 1/2 pounds of pork overnight (in a mixture of 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste).  Brown the pork in some peanut oil; drain and set aside.  Sauté 4 chopped onions, 2 chopped green peppers and 4 garlic cloves in the oil, then add the pork, 2 cups of tomato sauce, and 2 bay leaves.  Cook until the pork is tender.  Then stir in your 5 cups of grated corn and 7 cups of water.  Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour.  Makes 8 servings.

A few months ago we tried a very similar recipe.  It was much easier to make and tasted just as delicious.  Here it is:

Corn Chowder Cuban Style or Guiso de Maiz


1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, cut in strips
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 bay leaves
1 pound pork loin, cut in 2" cubes
1/2 pound smoked ham, diced
1/2 cup peanut oil
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut in 8 pieces
1 butternut squash, peeled and cut in 3" pieces
2 cups chicken broth
2 cans (15 oz.) whole kernel corn
1 can (15 oz.) cream-style corn
2 ears fresh corn, cut into 2" pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a large pot.  Brown pork cubes.  Add onions, green pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and tomato sauce. Cover and simmer until pork is tender.  Add broth, potatoes, squash, and ham.  When potatoes and squash are tender, add the corn.  Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Makes 6 servings.