In “Murder Is Corny,” published in the book, Trio for Blunt Instruments, Nero Wolfe and Rex Stout praise fresh corn on the cob as an outstanding American dish and provide guidance on how best to prepare it.  In “Fourth of July Picnic”, Wolfe and Archie enjoy the hospitality of a traditional American summer picnic on Long Island.  

The Wolfe Pack celebrated both of these traditions with the Long Island Picnic and Corn Fest held at "The Glade," a residence in New Hyde Park, New York.  Our menu included traditional picnic items such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, crunchy vegetable/broccoli salad, and all the usual accompaniments. Its featured item, was, of course, fresh Long Island corn à la Fritz Brenner:

"[Corn] roasted in the husk in the hottest possible oven for forty minutes, shucked at the table, and buttered and salted, nothing else, it is ambrosia." ["Murder is Corny" Chapter 1]

Steve, the Grill Master, handled the burgers, dogs and buns. The hostess' oven took care of the corn (see photo at the top right corner of this page) which was picked that morning at a farm in Mattituck (NOT by Duncan McLeod, of course) and purchased at the farmer's market in New Hyde Park an hour or so later. Alas, the weather did not cooperate, so the picnic was moved indoors, but a sumptious and happy time was had by all.

Now try THE CORN & PICNIC QUIZ


And then view the events of the day:

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