Mayi Boukannen the right way

As you may already know from reading my mayi boukannen or bouyi article, growing up, there was nothing quite as fascinating to me as standing by a charcoal grill while some mayi boukannen was being prepared. A mixture of anticipation and excitement at the thought of the feast that was sure to follow kept me by the fire.

I would watch as the charcoal lit up and pay close attention to the soft flames as they grew in intensity wrapping the unpeeled vegetables with their smoke. The resulting heat would gradually cook the kernels hidden under the husk that turned charred over time, a sign that the corn was ready to be peeled and transferred to the grill where the cooking process would be completed.

It recently dawned on me that this method of preparing our mayi boukannen has disappeared from our street corners, a fact that the cook at home confirmed. While mayi boukannen street merchants very much still line up our sidewalks in the same way they did in the past, these sellers no longer prepare the corn the old fashioned way described above. Instead of laying out the corn as is on the grill, they now extract the cobs from their husk, remove the “bab mayi” (corn silk) and cook them in “open air.”

I was a bit disappointed when I came to realize it for it felt like my entire past was being erased. I thus took it upon me to go on a mayi boukannen adventure right on our terrace. Just like I did throughout my childhood, I stood by as they lit the charcoal and got it ready to receive the corn that was to remain in its peel as the picture below shows:

mayi-boukannen-haiti-corn-cob

I waited rather impatiently as the husks turned charred, at which point we peeled the corn, dusted off the “bab mayi,” (silk) and put them back on the fire to get some grill marks on the corn ears and attempt to make some popcorn. Yep, I went as far as requesting that they let some of the kernels pop. I was that anxious to relive my past.

Unfortunately, this time around we only got two kernels to pop. Yet, I was still happy to get a taste of my childhood, a mayi boukannen permeated with the aromas of its own husk and silk, a sweet juicy smoky mayi boukannen.

Along the way, I also learned that the corn can be cooked entirely in its husk, which gives out an even juicier corn that maintains its yellowness as shown in the picture below:

mayi-boukannen-haiti

I am not sure why they no longer use this method, but my corn grilled in its husk had a bolder flavor and was definitely juicier than the ones cooked directly on the grill.

All things considered, I was happy to relive my past that night, and I definitely encourage you to make your mayi boukannen the old-fashioned way. Your taste buds will thank you.

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1 Comment

  • Martine Romain Megie

    De belles photos qui nous convient a nos BBQ!

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