August 29, 2012

Welcoming harvest season with Cornpatch Meat Balls

There's a radiant, immensely beautiful quality to the light that accompanies these last precious days of August. It glistens like freshly polished gold and envelopes one mind, body and soul, comforting like a warm bath and instilling serenity like the stillest of ponds. When the light takes on this hearty, elegant quality, I am often reminded of childhood days spent at my maternal grandparents' house when I was a little girl, as their backyard corn harvest neared picking time.

Amongst the tomatoes, cucumbers, and grape trees, to the right of my grandma's trusty wash line stood a patch of corn, swaying like starry-eyed teenagers at a school dance, in the breeze that seemed to travel across the towns from the Pacific ocean and land in their humble little Haney yard.

Every year, without fail, when the corn was ready to be picked and enjoyed, we head over to grandma and grandpa's for an afternoon of harvesting and an evening of roasting, a tall bonfire cracking away, and that sublime August heat accompanying every sweet, crunchy, butter drenched bite of corn on the cob.

My grandfather passed away when I was just six years old, effectively putting an end to this lovely annual tradition, which I'm grateful that I got to experience (and can clearly remember) a few times in my life. No doubt influenced by those formative years, whenever August draws to a close, I find myself craving corn more so than at any other time of the year.

Thankfully, even if it doesn't come from my grandparents' backyard any more, there is still a lot of terrific fresh corn to be had in British Columbia, and one rarely has to go further than the nearest produce stand or grocery store to find some top-notch cobs. If you're area isn't famed for its corn, or if you're looking for a corn recipe that can be whipped on a moment's notice any time of the year, then you're in luck!

With a name that can't help but call to mind the changing of the seasons, Cornpatch Meat Balls are quick, filling, and a cinch to make. These tasty little morsels can be made with any ground meat (or a mixture of different meats) that you like (pork and beef are always wonderful together, but turkey or chicken would also be delicious) and have the added fun of being stuffed with tiny cubes of cheese, before being cooked and nestled down into a bed (so hence the "patch" part of this recipe's name) of canned corn.


Vintge cornpatch meat ball recipe, canned corn 
{Perfect for a small family dinner or large crowd alike, this vintage recipe for Cornpatch Meat Balls can be made any time of the year, so long as you've got some canned on hand. Image via Curly-Wurly on Flickr. Click here for a larger version.}



I think this recipe sounds great as it is, but of course you could play around with the seasonings (curry powder instead of the chili would be a yummy idea), vegetables, or other ingredients however you like. If American cheese isn't your favourite, why not slip in tiny pieces of sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, melty provolone, or tangy Roquefort?

This great 1940s dish is pretty much a meal unto itself, though if you're looking to pad out diner further, a salad of fresh greens and mixed herbs in a light, zingy vinaigrette, or alternatively, slices of ripe watermelon or cantaloupe would be a terrific accompaniment.

Corn is a classic, much loved food and one that is as tied to the end of summer as that sublimely lovely golden sunlight, which just happens to share a hue with this excellent vegetable and always reminds me of those last few days of the season before school starts and the ebb and flow of autumn life returns once more.  All the more reason, I do believe, to enjoy as much of it right now as possible.

16 comments:

  1. I love the presentation shown in this recipe. It is so of its time. I think I will surprise the family with this next time I make meatballs!

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    1. It's so fantastic, I agree! Mid-century food presentation could be a little eyebrow raising at times, but this dish is lovely to look at and wouldn't garner odd glances even today.

      ♥ Jessica

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  2. Looks great! I have quite a few Better Homes and Gardens from the 40's and love using the recipes in them.

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    1. I adore trying out recipes in mid-century magazines, too. I sometimes jazz them up a tad or swap butter for shortening, but over all - at least the first time around - I like to stick as close to the original as I can (especially if I'm cooking for others, who are free of all the pesky dietary restrictions my health imposes on me).

      ♥ Jessica

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  3. What a lovely childhood memory. The Cornpatch Meatballs actually sound rather good and I think I'm going to give this recipe a try.

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    1. Thank you very much, dear Rowan. I'd love to know what you thought of this recipe if you give it a spin.

      ♥ Jessica

      *PS*

      Thank you, too, for all of your other wonderful recent comments, I sincerely appreciate each one of them.

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  4. Oooh! This looks really good! See? the 40's even had class in advertisements! :D

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    1. Absolutely, Dolly! Which is just another reason why I'm so smitten with mid-century advertising.

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Our corn crop didn't even make it through the summer!! :( And I'm not talking about just Indiana, but most of the midwest's corn crops. It was so dry and hot it burned them to a crisp. So no fresh corn for us this year. :'(

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    1. That must be devastating on the local farmers/economy in the Midwest, I'm very sorry to learn about this, dear Sean. If such a thing were possible, I would happily pack up and ship off a huge crate of fresh ears of corn to you right now.

      ♥ Jessica

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  6. Looks really yummy! Thanks for posting all these wonderful vintage recipes!

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    1. My pleasure, April - so delighted to know you enjoy seeing them.

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Mmm I'm in the mood for meatballs now!

    I just wanted to let you know that as someone who has also struggled alot with illness, you are such an inspiration to me! You are wonderful. xx

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    1. That means a tremendous amount to me, sweet dear, thank you. May positive health be yours as we head in fall.

      ♥ Jessica

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  8. I'm a vegetarian so this recipe is nothing for me. however I love your vintage recipe series.

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  9. OMG yay!! :)I cant wait to give this a try!!! :) And best of all its not too many ingredients and with a family on a budget that is helpful! :) I love all the vintage recipes you find!! :) they are amazing!! :) I cant wait to see the next one!! :)

    Hugs and best wishes,
    Alicia

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