São João Table: Corn Dishes & Snacks

Fresh corn has a naturally sweet, milky taste. The natural flavor of corn gives corn dishes a flavorful and savory taste to a dish. Corn is a popular food that is used in many festivals. Various corn festivals are held every year throughout different parts of the US. Corn festivals are popular events attracting many people to these social gatherings. Corn-themed foods, games, farm activities, and music are typically included in many corn festivals throughout the states.

Besides the United States, corn festivals are also celebrated in other parts of the world. Including Asia, Africa, and South America. There are different types of corn festivals in South America, including Festa de São João, which takes place throughout Brazil.

Festa de São João (St. John the Baptist Festival) 

São João, also known as Festa Junina, is an annual June folkloric festival in Brazil. One of the largest events in the country and particularly popular in urban areas. It is a folkloric celebration that takes place during the winter season. The event is celebrated for the corn harvest and rain. It is also to honor Saint John the Baptist.

Much of the festival involves country-style, folklore-style clothes and costumes, folk dancing, forró music (Brazilian folk music), bonfires, fireworks, and, of course, delicious corn food. Corn dishes are a key part of the dishes served at São João. There are various corn dishes made for the event. Some corn dishes are made in advance prior to the event, such as corn pudding and corn cake. Many of the São João corn dishes include sweet traditional Brazilian corn recipes.

Brazilian Corn Recipe Ideas

• Bolo de fubá (cornmeal cake) 
• Bolo de milho (fresh corn cake)
• Boiled and roasted corn 
• Canjica de milho (corn pudding) 
• Pamonha (sweet corn tamale) 

Corn Dishes and Snacks Table: Fresh corn with husks, corn, green apples, corn juice, corn soup, small corn cakes, corn pudding, condensed milk sticky balls, peanuts, and popcorn.

Corn Dishes

Fresh Corn

June is the primary month for corn in Brazil. It is the season when corn is harvested. This is the time when many Brazilians cook various corn dishes inspired by the São João festival. Fresh corn dishes are among the most popular and common in the festival. Corn can be cooked differently for the event. Roasted, boiled, and steamed corn are ways corn is cooked for São João. Corn on the cob is a classic festival food. Various toppings like butter and mayonnaise can be added to freshly grilled corn on the cob.

Fresh corn is often available during peak season in the states. June is also a popular month for corn in the United States since peak season for corn takes place during the summer months. Many supermarkets offer great deals on fresh corn throughout the summer season. During this season, I often buy a bunch of corn and stock up. This is a great time to try out new corn recipes.

Milho Ralado Cozido (Cooked Grated Corn) and Green Apples

Besides the traditional methods of roasting and boiling corn for São João, there is another unique way of preparing and cooking corn. Milho ralado cozido, which is cooked grated corn. This is simply done by lightly grating the corn and then boiling it. This is a unique and different way of cooking corn

Different types of fruits are popular for the São João festival. Though fresh apples are not very popular for the event, candy and caramel apples are. These sweet apple desserts are enjoyed by many who attend the festival. Apples are also used for festival drinks such as vinho quente, also known as mulled wine. Various types of fruits can be added to the wine, including apples.

For the cooked grated corn, I gently grated a few fresh corn cobs, making sure I did not remove the kernels completely, and then I boiled the corn until fully cooked. This is just another way of enjoying a unique version of boiled corn. I purchased a few fresh green apples for this table. The green apples were also a great addition to the table, representing the popularity of São João sweet apple desserts.

Corn Juice

There are many types of drinks available during the São João festival. Different types of Brazilian cocktails and liquor beverages are served, such as caipirinha, cachaça, and batida. Fresh fruit juices are refreshing drinks to enjoy during the São João festival. These types of juices are also common festival drinks. Juices such as passion fruit, cashew, and mango are a few fresh fruit options at the festival. 

Sweet corn in Brazil is often known as milho verde, which is green corn. Green corn juice is a unique corn juice. It is made from unripe green corn that is still young and has a green shade. Green corn juice is a popular juice in Brazil, specifically when fresh corn is in season. Corn juice may not be readily available in supermarkets. Therefore, making corn juice at home is a great way of enjoying a different type of drink. 

I made corn juice at home with fresh corn. For the corn juice, I used half and half and sugar for the corn juice ingredients. This juice does not require many steps to make this refreshing juice. Add fresh corn kernels, half and half, and sugar, then simply blend all the ingredients. Fresh corn juice can be made at home with fresh corn and a few ingredients.

Corn Soup

Cream of corn soup is a common and popular soup dish in Southern cuisine in the states. It is made with sweet corn, milk, butter, seasoning, and other ingredients. This type of soup has a smooth, thick, and creamy texture. Southern restaurants often offer cream corn soups. Various brands of canned corn chowders are often available in supermarkets. 

Corn soups are delightful soups to make at home. There are a number of corn soup recipes available online, ranging from chowder and velvet corn soup to the classic creamy corn soup recipes. With many corn dishes made for São João, corn soup is a delicious, creamy, light sweet soup option. Sopa de milho, which is corn chowder. It is a popular soup for Sao Joao. Brazilian corn chowder is a thick, creamy soup made with fresh corn and a variety of ingredients. 

I made a light corn soup for this São João table. I pureed the soup, so this type of soup is not as thick or creamy as many corn chowder soups. A plain corn soup is a simple soup to make at home with fresh corn kernels and milk, creating a light and tasty corn soup.

Small Corn Cakes

Corn cake is a popular and classic dessert made for the festival of São João. Bolo de fubá, which is a common Brazilian cake made from cornmeal. It is generally baked in a round cake pan, creating the round shape. It is a sweet cake dessert enjoyed with coffee and tea. Bolo de fubá is a tasty corn cake enjoyed during the festival, which is often served with coffee. There are variations of this corn cake. Coconut, cheese, and fruits can also be included in the corn cake, creating a delightful blend of flavors. 

Another different variation of Brazilian corn cake is small corn cakes. This is great for a small version of corn cakes to enjoy. Small corn cakes resemble cupcakes that are made similarly to cupcakes without the frosting. Mix fresh corn kernels with corn flour, eggs, butter, and sugar to make the corn mixture. Use cupcake liners on a baking cupcake tray, then add the corn mixture to the cupcake liners and bake. These small corn cakes are incredibly soft, moist, and lightly sweet. 

Canjica de Milho (Corn Pudding) 

Corn pudding in the United States is a common Southern dish. It is a popular side or dessert pudding dish enjoyed by many people. Various southern restaurants offer creamy corn puddings as desserts. There are different types of corn pudding that can be made at home, such as corn pudding casserole, cheesy corn pudding, or corn pudding with waffle cookies.

Corn pudding is also very popular in Brazil. It is a delicious corn dessert enjoyed during the São João festival. Corn pudding in Brazil is known as curau de milho or canjica de milho verde, made with yellow corn, but it can also be made with white corn. Canjica de milho can be served plain or garnished with cinnamon and ground cinnamon.

I used fresh yellow corn for this canjica de milho, corn pudding. Fresh corn is best for this type of recipe. To make canjica de milho, there is a two-step process. Blending the corn kernels in the blender, then adding a variety of ingredients and the blended corn kernels to a saucepan. This is a delicious corn dessert, with a smooth texture and lightly sweet corn-flavored pudding dessert.

Desserts & Snacks 

Leite Condensado Brigadeiros (Condensed Milk Sticky Ball Desserts) 

The São João festival is known to have a variety of desserts to offer. Many of the desserts at the festival are corn-based dessert dishes like corn pudding and corn cake. Other types are made for the event, such as brigadeiros. Brigadeiros are very popular desserts throughout Brazil and a favorite treat among Brazilian people. They are often served at parties or any special social gatherings. 

The traditional Brazilian brigadeiros are small, soft, fudgy balls of dark chocolate coated with chocolate sprinkles. They are made with condensed milk and cocoa powder, then often covered in sprinkles. Other than cocoa powder, brigadeiros can be made with dark chocolate, coffee, and coconut. These brigadeiros were made with condensed milk and coated with shredded coconut. 

Brigadeiros are soft with a gooey texture. They are sweet treats that can be enjoyed during celebrations or just as a simple dessert after a meal. 

Snacks: Peanuts and Popcorn

Corn recipes are the star dishes at São João festivals. There are other types of dishes and snacks served at the event. Various snacks, such as paçoca, a candy made with grounded peanuts; pé-de-moleque, a crunchy roasted peanut candy; and cocada, a coconut dessert, are commonly offered at the festival. 

Peanuts are also commonly offered. They are popular snacks for São João's event. Peanuts can be enjoyed plain or can be cooked. Boiled peanuts are a common cooking method for the festival. Salted roasted peanuts are also common and pair well with the variety of festival drinks and food. 

Popcorn is another popular and typical snack for São João. Besides the common and popular corn dishes and peanuts, popcorn is known as a classic snack served at the event. The popcorn is often served in popcorn bags, and then a generous amount of salt is sprinkled onto the popcorn.

I purchased raw peanuts and a box of white popcorn at the supermarket for this São João table. I added the peanuts and cooked popcorn to small dishes.

Summary

The São João festival is an exciting and enjoyable event in Brazil. Though this event is celebrated in other parts of the world, such as Portugal, it is celebrated as a nationwide festival event in Brazil. This festival has strong ties to Brazil, as it is a large celebration that takes place throughout many parts of the country.

Festa de São João, St. John the Baptist festival, offers a variety of food and entertainment. The combination of the tasty foods, costumes, music, games, and the festive decorations makes Sao Joao an amazing folkloric festival.