skilletlicker
Head Chef
The following quote is from the first reply in the Canning BBQ sauces conversation:
I want to buy dry whole kernel yellow dent corn in small quantities (certainly no more than 50 lbs. at a time; 25 would be better) to make nixtamal (like hominy) and grind into masa to make tortillas and use in other Mexican dishes for my own use. I can't find a local supplier of dent corn for human consumption. I bought some online from the only supplier I could find, but it was shipped to me in Memphis TN from Montpelier Idaho. The transportation cost and energy use seemed wasteful so I thought I'd ask Uncle Sam via the USDA extension for advice.
It took a couple messages (both including the quantity I was interested in) and a couple weeks to get the right guy on the phone and when he did call he wanted to talk about contracting with growers for dedicated acreage. Explaining that I was interested in pounds, not tons, seemed to throw him for a loop. After recovering, he gave me the name of his counterparts in northwestern Tennessee, where they produce more corn.
Then, after a very long pause, he started talking about there being no difference between corn intended for livestock feed and corn for human consumption. In fact, the grower sells his corn in bulk without knowing or caring about the end use. He might have said that if it were him, he would buy from a local feed store. He seemed to speak authoritatively regarding both agricultural practices and federal regulations. The conversation lasted about 15 or 20 minutes and ended because my cell phone batteries died.
My Montpelier corn will last a while longer but I'm seriously thinking about buying my next bag from the feed store. I know the idea will produce visceral reactions in a lot of people and I look forward to every-body's opinions. I'm particularly anxious to hear from folks knowledgeable about dent corn suppliers, unmilled whole grain storage and packaging for humans and/or livestock, agricultural practices, or the USDA.
Thanks for your patience and I'm sorry it was such a long post.
Reading the above prompted me to tell you about my experience with the local USDA extension office.sparrowgrass said:Wok, you need to take your recipe to the extension office in your county seat. They will have a food person on staff who will be able to tell you how to can your sauce safely.
I want to buy dry whole kernel yellow dent corn in small quantities (certainly no more than 50 lbs. at a time; 25 would be better) to make nixtamal (like hominy) and grind into masa to make tortillas and use in other Mexican dishes for my own use. I can't find a local supplier of dent corn for human consumption. I bought some online from the only supplier I could find, but it was shipped to me in Memphis TN from Montpelier Idaho. The transportation cost and energy use seemed wasteful so I thought I'd ask Uncle Sam via the USDA extension for advice.
It took a couple messages (both including the quantity I was interested in) and a couple weeks to get the right guy on the phone and when he did call he wanted to talk about contracting with growers for dedicated acreage. Explaining that I was interested in pounds, not tons, seemed to throw him for a loop. After recovering, he gave me the name of his counterparts in northwestern Tennessee, where they produce more corn.
Then, after a very long pause, he started talking about there being no difference between corn intended for livestock feed and corn for human consumption. In fact, the grower sells his corn in bulk without knowing or caring about the end use. He might have said that if it were him, he would buy from a local feed store. He seemed to speak authoritatively regarding both agricultural practices and federal regulations. The conversation lasted about 15 or 20 minutes and ended because my cell phone batteries died.
My Montpelier corn will last a while longer but I'm seriously thinking about buying my next bag from the feed store. I know the idea will produce visceral reactions in a lot of people and I look forward to every-body's opinions. I'm particularly anxious to hear from folks knowledgeable about dent corn suppliers, unmilled whole grain storage and packaging for humans and/or livestock, agricultural practices, or the USDA.
Thanks for your patience and I'm sorry it was such a long post.
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