Maize Morado- Healthiest Corn on Earth?

I have discovered a new (old) corn! A deep purple (almost black) colored strain of ancient corn that has come under much investigation of late for its alleged high levels of various health-beneficial antioxidants.
"Purple corn, a variety of Zea mays, is an Andean crop from low valleys locally called maiz morado. Purple corn can be found mostly in Peru, where it is cultivated in the coast, as well as in lands almost ten thousand feet high. There are different varieties of purple corn, and all of them originated from an ancestral line called “Kculli”, still cultivated in Peru. The Kculli line is very old, and ancient objects in the shape of these particular ears of corn have been found in archeological sites at least 2,500 years old in places in the central coast, as well as among the ceramics of the “Mochica” culture. "
http://www.pulpastore.co.uk/detox-your-world-organic-purple-corn-flour-500g-203.html

Here's a great article on some of the research that is being done:
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/act.2007.13210

Here's another article about this corn as a cancer treatment that states "anthocyanins from purple corn and chokeberries not only completely stopped the growth of cancer cells, but also killed about 21 percent of cancer cells without having any effect on healthy cells."
http://healthrecipes.com/purple-corn-cancer-treatment.htm

I bought some seeds and can't wait to plant them this year! I have heard reports that they grow fast and big- up to 15 feet and can have 3 ears per stalk. It's traditionally used to make chicha morada, a sweet drink http://peruvian-cuisine.blogspot.com/2008/11/drink-recipe-chicha-morada-purple-chica.html
I can't find much information on its uses for fresh eating or as a flour. I'll just have to find out for myself I guess! :)

Thanksgiving

Again I find myself far behind in reporting the goings on around here.
Near the end of summer our ducks left us for a home in the country with a big pond. Everyone around here grew quite tired of the poo, the feathers, and the fact that the poo, the feathers came into the house regularly under the paws of the dogs. (yuck!) So for a while we were eggless again. And oh how I miss my ducks! *cries*
I got to thinking about quail again and around mid October I think it was, I got 10 Coturnix quail. It was supposed to be 8 girls and 2 boys, but it turned out to be 4 girls and 6 boys! There was much fussing and fighting until I was able to acquire 3 more girls. Now everyone seems to be getting along for the most part. I have 3 girls and 3 boys in one cage and 4 girls and 3 boys in the other. Still too many boys, but it looks like the situation will work out until I can hatch out babies in the Spring. The little eggs are so much fun! We've had them scrambled, boiled, fried, and we made stuffed quail eggs for thanksgiving dinner. They taste just like chicken eggs, but are far more nutritious! (See my previous post about quail eggs- http://qwatra.blogspot.com/2009/09/raising-quail.html)
So other than quail eggs we had:
SMOKED turkey- I'm spoiled now for smoked turkey- for one, just heat and eat! Two- the flavor is melt in your mouth great!
Baked Yams- nothing fancy, just baked, mashed and topped with a bit of brown sugar, walnuts, and a handful of tiny marshmallows. They were a smashing hit!
My Mom's Amazing cornbread dressing- You have never HAD stuffing until you've tasted my Mom's stuffing. Cornbread base with celery, onion, apple, carrot, and walnuts!
Basic green bean casserole- always a favorite
Neffie's garlic mashed potatoes- yummy!
We cooked a pumpkin to make pumpkin pie, but never got around to it. It's still in the fridge though, so we need to do that before it goes bad.
Outside it was all white. In fact, we have had the snowiest November on record!
http://www.khq.com/Global/story.asp?S=13582075
"SPOKANE, Wash. - Well, it took until the last day, but we did it! November 2010 is officially the snowiest November on record. KHQ Chief Meteorologist Bill Kelly says that as of 10pm Tuesday night, the record was officially broken with 25.7". The average snowfall for the month of November is 7.1" "














Let it snow! Outside the weather may be frightful, but inside our fire is quite delightful! I am really enjoying the winter. :) It's nice to relax, reflect, spend time with Don and Nef and actually PLAY together! We have lots of firewood, lots of groceries, and lots of love! So I say bring it on winter! We're loving it!