Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil

By Alexandra Caspero on July 24, 2017


If there is one dish I need you to make this summer- it’s this. Freshly ground corn polenta topped with buttery farm vegetables and a drizzle of basil oil.

I know the idea of pureed corn kernels sounds weird, but trust me on this one. I first had the dish at a pop-up event put on by Sherrie last summer. One bite in and I knew this was something I couldn’t wait to go back and experiment with myself.

The concept is fairly simple. Shuck the fresh kernels, steam just enough to create a tender bite, then puree into a thick porridge. Put the whole mixture back into the saucepan and season with a bit of butter, salt and pepper. To keep things dairy-free, I used a vegan butter (Earth Balance ❤️), but the possibilities really are endless. Yotam throws feta in his version and I bet it would be equally divine with a little sharp cheddar, goat cheese or fruity olive oil.

Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer's market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. | www.delishknowledge.com Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer's market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. | www.delishknowledge.com

While I could eat the entire bowl of polenta by itself (and, highly recommend this option often), this version gets loaded with even more vegetables. As I’ve said time and time again, when produce is as good as it is right now, why stop with just one ingredient?

Saute a little zucchini and cherry tomatoes until the are just softened. Like with the polenta, anything goes. Feel free to add in greens or another variety of summer squash instead. If it pairs well with corn, it should pair well with the polenta.

To finish the dish, I made a quick fresh basil oil to drizzle on top. Since the entire meal is basically vegetables, the extra drizzle of finishing oil seems like a necessary, yet luxurious touch. Chiffonade fresh basil, then press into good quality olive-oil, a pinch of red pepper flakes and sea salt. Save any extras for a salad dressing base or for freshly made hummus.

Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer's market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. | www.delishknowledge.com Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer's market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. | www.delishknowledge.com

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer's market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. | www.delishknowledge.com

Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner, main, healthy
  • Cuisine: vegan, glutenfree

Description

Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer’s market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. 


  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner, main, healthy
  • Cuisine: vegan, glutenfree
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: dinner, main, healthy
  • Cuisine: vegan, glutenfree
Scale

Ingredients

Fresh Corn Polenta

  • 6 ears fresh corn
  • 1/23/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance for dairy-free option)

Spicy Tomato and Zucchini Topping

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 medium zucchini, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper

Basil Oil

  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chiffonade
  • 1/4 cup good quality olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • pinch red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Make the corn polenta. Shuck the corn and remove as much of the silk as possible. Slice the kernels into a large bowl, running the back of your knife along the bare cob to remove as much of the remaining kernels and milk as possible. 
  2. Place the corn (and any juice) in a medium saucepan along with enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, for 5-7 minutes until corn is just tender. 
  3. Drain corn and place in a food processor along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Puree until very smooth, a polenta-like consistency. 
  4. Return polenta back to the saucepan and simmer over low heat with the butter and additional salt/pepper as needed. Keep warm until ready to serve. 
  5. Make the tomato-zucchini mixture. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot, cherry tomatoes and zucchini and cook until tomatoes have burst and the zucchini is slightly browned, about 7-8 minutes. 
  6. Stir in the smoked paprika, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper. Season to taste and keep warm until ready to serve. 
  7. Make the basil oil. Whisk together the basil, olive oil, minced garlic clove and pinch of salt and pepper. Season to taste, if needed. 
  8. Assemble! Divide the polenta among 4 bowls, then top with tomato-zucchini mixture. Drizzle with basil oil and garnish with more basil. Enjoy immediately. 

Notes

Fresh Corn Polenta adapted from With Food + Love and Yotam Ottolenghi

did you make this?

Tag @delishknowledge on Instagram and hashtag it #delishknowledge

Fresh Corn Polenta with Farm Vegetables and Spicy Basil Oil. The vegan and gluten-free dinner is perfect for summer! Make the most of farmer's market produce; fresh corn polenta topped with sauteed farm vegetables and a drizzle of spicy basil oil. | www.delishknowledge.com

Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

(13 comments) leave a comment

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    1. Sarah
      September 20, 2022 AT 2:04 pm

      Best recipe I’ve made in a while. Will be making many more times !

    2. Suzy
      September 23, 2017 AT 3:58 pm

      Oh my!! This was wonderful!! I made as written except I was out of fresh shallot so I used Penzey’s freeze-dried. Couldn’t tell the difference at all. Next time I will omit the basil oil dressing and just garnish with the basil chiffonade. Definitely a winner! Thanks so much!

      1. Alex
        September 24, 2017 AT 6:16 am

        Awesome! Thanks Suzy- glad you liked it.

    3. Serena
      July 26, 2017 AT 1:27 pm

      This is SUCH a brilliant idea! You even make the basil oil in a liquid measuring cup look beautiful!

      1. Alex
        July 28, 2017 AT 11:09 am

        Thank you friend! xo

    4. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
      July 26, 2017 AT 3:45 am

      OK! I am SO making this VERY soon. I love polenta, but never knew how to make it homemade 🙂 YUM!

      1. Alex
        July 28, 2017 AT 11:09 am

        Yes! Especially in this version. Fresh corn polenta is so much better than the regular kind, I can’t get enough if it in the summer!

    5. Mona
      July 24, 2017 AT 3:48 pm

      What a great summer dish!

      1. Alex
        July 25, 2017 AT 8:16 am

        Thanks Mona!

    6. Tawnie
      July 24, 2017 AT 7:11 am

      Gorgeous photos!

      1. Alex
        July 24, 2017 AT 9:30 am

        Thanks Tawnie!

    7. Laura
      July 24, 2017 AT 6:12 am

      This looks amazing! I have never made a polenta with fresh corn but feel inspired!

      1. Alex
        July 24, 2017 AT 9:31 am

        It’s AMAZING! You’ve gotta try it!