Corn from one planting makes really good eating for around two to three weeks. It is actually sweetest in the early or nubbin stage, then hits sort of a balanced peak – when the kernels are full but still very sweet. As the kernels continue to swell, the sugar-starch balance migrates in the direction of starch. When some denting in the ends kernels can be seen, you can be sure the corn is past its sweet eating prime. (Sugars also begin to turn to starch when corn is pulled from the stalk which is why corn is best when eaten right away after pulling.)
In the mountains – and I reckon, but can’t speak to, elsewhere – corn that is past prime eating has long been “gritted” to render a wet pulp which can be mixed with other ingredients to bake into a corn bread, usually called “gritted bread.”
The home made gritter shown above was found at the home place of Ernest and Elizabeth Rose Hall (TVA tract FR1218), located on Cable Branch, which empties into the west side of the Hazel Creek embayment of Fontana Lake. Made from a section of roofing metal, the rows of holes had been made by punching a nail through the metal, leaving sharp edges to do the gritting when an ear of corn was rubbed over them to make the pulp. The larger holes seen along the edges were where the gritter had been nailed to a board, with the section in between the two sides curved, as seen in the end view. This map shows the location of the Hall home and other area features.
—Don Casada
Photo Source: Don Casada personal archives
Don has spent years researching old homeplaces as well as the people who once lived in them. He compiled much of what he’s discovered into a wonderful website named Swain County’s People and Places. Be sure to jump over and poke around. I know you’ll enjoy the photos, stories, maps, and history of Swain County NC. The article I shared today is an example of the treasures you will find on Don’s website.
Last night’s video: Appalachian Heritage Week at the Folk School.
Tipper
p.s. Blind Pig reader Norman Chester has a brain aneurysm. Please pray for Norman.
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Thank you for letting us all know about Norman. I am praying for him. I am also praying for Granny, and so sorry to hear she’s not feeling well today. I have learned a lot about corn from you this week. I had never heard of a corn gritter, but love learning about the old ways. I enjoyed watching you and your girlies square dancing at the Folk School—It looked so fun!
Praying for Norman & Granny !!!
Yes indeed, prayers for dear Norman. And prayers that the good Lord is holding his hand.
Praying for Norman and all who help care for him during this time!
Enjoy reading appalachian history.
Thanks for the post about Norman. The acorns are certainly praying for him. Also praying your Mama is having good days.
Everyone enjoy this beautiful weather.
I must confess to having never grown corn. I’ve lived in the city all of my life and never had room for corn. Oh, I have grown other vegetables, but never corn; so, I’ll ask my stupid question of the day: Does corn go the stage of needing to be gritted based on the age of the plant or the grower’s failure to harvest the ears?
Robert, I would say both 🙂 Back when folks grew field corn for themselves and their animals they left it in the fields to dry on the stalk before pulling. Sweet corn is different in that you want to harvest it all before it gets too dry to eat, but there’s always a few ears that hide from you 🙂
Asking God to comfort and heal Norman Chester.
P.S. How is Granny today?
Lesley, thank you for praying for Norman. Granny isn’t feeling very well today.
May God comfort and heal both Norman and Granny. It is so comforting to know that they are safe in God’s kind and capable hands.
What an interesting post! Thank you, Don and Tipper.
Praying for Norman.
It is amazing how creative the Appalachian people are to use food at every stage of growth from fresh corn on the cob to using the corn as it starts to change in gritted bread to parched corn. Ya’ll sure know how to cook! I am not from any where near NC, but I think Don’s work is so interesting and I could spend a long time pouring over places I’ve never been and people I’ve not met. Thank you for sharing that! ❤️
I wrote down your recipe for gritted bread and bought a few ears of corn at Kroger after discovering the field corn tasted like dirt. I’m ready for a big pone of gritted bread and some fried taters. If I had a gritter I would sure use it, but my store-bought grater will have to do. I already prayed for Norman and will continue to pray for him until he comes on here and lets us know the Lord has answered our prayers.
I sure enjoy the history of the area. Praying for Norman.
Healing prayers for Norman!
The articles on gritted bread have been interesting, so it’s something we’re going to try.
What a treasure! I hope this old gritter is still around. I’ve enjoyed seeing the videos of Don’s tours of the old home sites. Thanks for sharing. My late sister-in-law and best friend took me to her family homesites and graveyards and on annual family hikes led by 3 older cousins, on the Tn side of the Smokies where her family had lived “before the Park”. One could only imagine building a life and raising big families in those places and then being forced to leave.
Sorry to hear about Norman but thanks for letting the pig family know about him.
Prayers for Norman. May he feel the Lord’s presence.
I have really enjoyed learning about corn and its starch, sugar, freshness, etc which I never really knew. I also have enjoyed seeing the corn gritters and the best of all this new knowledge is knowing the pioneering, waste not want not, use everything you can attitude of our forefathers not so long ago. It makes me feel stronger and more capable seeing what folks did and made not so long ago in tough times. It gives me hope for the future. I must say looking at a corn gritter every day may be a good reminder to set us humble and on the straight way. There’s so much to learn about Appalachian folks and our ways. Have a blessed day yall!
Our friends are from that area and their daughter is named Fontana after the lake there. I love hearing the stories. I’ll be trying my hand at the cornbread this weekend. Hope it tastes as good as yours looks!
Praying for Norman! May the Lord hold him close and may he feel the very presence of God near! God bless!
Thank you for requesting prayer for Norman. He is a precious cousin.
We had a corn sheller and took corn to the mill, but I have never heard of a corn grinder.
Amen!
I thought Y’all might enjoy this link to some more Appalachian History. https://www.etsu.edu/cas/cass/archives/digitalprojects.php
Prayers for Norman. TY for this post. I’ve loved the Corn Gritter posts. Love Ya.