Last year at about this time I sent a picture to my boys showing them how tall the corn grows here in Ecuador.
Corn is called maize in Spanish, but most locals refer to corn as, “choclo.” As far as I can determine choclo is white large kernel corn often referred to as, “field corn” in the U.S. or corn grown mostly for silage or animal feed. Ecuadorianos eat the white corn like sweet corn, but sweeter yellow corn (maize) is sometimes available in the markets when it is in season in the mountain areas.
It was pretty hard to believe how tall this choclo grows in just a few months even with photographic evidence, so I was equally amazed this year to see the corn sprouting up. This is corn that was planted in January in anticipation of the rainy season and stands this tall on April 1st.
Choclo is planted throughout Manabí province on every available hillside, open area, and along the roadways each January.
I know a man named Pepe who runs a small tienda near our home. He has a large lot next to his home/store where he keeps pigs and chickens and a few rare turkeys. He did what any good Ecuadoriano does who has some spare land, he planted corn and other crops in January to take advantage of the free water the season generally provides.
His corn has done very well this year and I asked him if I could take some pictures. He readily agreed, but balked when I mentioned that I wanted him to come out and be in the pictures. It took me several minutes of haggling to finally persuade Pepe to come out to the side lot for pictures. He rationalized the diversion by bringing along his machete and a basket to harvest some ears while humoring the crazy gringo.
Pepe is a bit shorter than I am, but you get an idea of what it is like to stand in eleven or twelve feet tall corn stalks watching Pepe harvest ripe ears.
Again it took me minutes of coaxing, but I finally wrestled a smile from my reluctant model.
It was worth the scores of mosquito bites I suffered to get this picture of a humble Ecuadoriano in his field of choclo!
God graces the rich soils of Ecuador with abundant growth during the rainy season here in Manabí.
When all of the corn is harvested, the pepino (cucumber) plants that have already been planted will take over and eventually provide more crops for Pepe and his family.
The clear blue skies of San Clemente, Ecuador are even more beautiful when viewed through the canopy of tassels created by twelve foot tall choclo!
Life is good in Ecuador.
Mmmmm…. Corn!
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Yes, it is good, but not exactly like the sweet corn back home. Have you tried the corn on the cob – grilled – and rolled in queso that the woman makes down in central San Clemente? That is good!
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Lordy, Lordy, Lordy! That maize is a-maize-ing!
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It almost unbelievable how fast and tall it grows! I see it and still can not believe it.
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The corn looks so good and large!
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When I first saw choclo on the menu in Ecuador I was expecting some sort of chocolate! Was truly amazed by the wonderful fruit and veg available in the local market, especially when I was told it was all produced locally.
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That is too funny about the chocolate! And, yes it is amazing how many things can grow so rapidly here where it is warm or spring like all year long with abundant sunshine and cool nights.
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This corn of Ecuador reminded me of my village. Same corn is grown in our village and it is so tall that you can hide anything in it. The corn fields are just amazing.
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The corn here grows so incredibly fast that you can actually mark the growth in inches each day!
What “San Clemente” do you live in?
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