CORN smut, that is. Gee whiz, people, what did you think I was talking about?
Corn smut is a fungus that causes a disease of corn. The fungus usually does not kill the corn plant, but it can if the disease gets severe enough. Some farmers, however, like to see corn smut growing on their plants. No, they are not nuts - the fungal galls can actually be COOKED and EATEN. Go to a Mexican restaurant sometime and ask for huitlacoche, and you'll see what I mean.
Has anyone been adventurous and eaten huitlacoche?
Photo: USDA-ARS.