Sweet boiled corn in the mountains

Across the windy highlands, there is a stretch of road that we named “boiled corn road”. This section of road belongs to National Highway 26, originating from Dak Lak province, connecting with neighboring coastal provinces.

The “boiled corn” route on National Highway 26, starting from Dak Lak province, goes up the mountain and down to the sea, connecting with neighboring coastal provinces. Photo: LDB

The winding road is surrounded by rubber forests, coffee gardens, green durian orchards, hidden in the fertile basalt layer. Along the way, there are full of seasonal specialties such as durian, avocado, and rich coffee.

In addition to those specialties, there is a memorable gift that makes tourists stop to enjoy. It is the hot, steaming boiled corn. In just a few kilometers of road, there are dozens of shops with pots of corn under the flickering fire.

The simple image of the salesgirl, a warm flickering fire with thin smoke, a simple snack, I felt like I was re-energized, the journey also became safe and smooth. I felt like I was not alone in the vast mountains and forests.

Sitting leisurely, I bought dozens of ripe corns and fresh corns as gifts. The corns were grown in the garden, so they were sweet and chewy. As I ate, the garden owner warmly and hospitably picked and boiled them. The fresh corns were picked the same day, so they could be taken far away without losing the sweetness and softness of the corn kernels.

When the sunset falls on the hillside, the mist drifts dreamily over the coffee plantations and rubber gardens, it is also the time when boys with floppy hats and tanned skin herd the cows back to the barn, with a cloth bag on their shoulders and a whip in their hands, the sound of bells jingling in the afternoon wind. The atmosphere is vaguely sad but quiet and peaceful.

Outside, suddenly I heard the bus conductor's voice laughing loudly calling me: "Go to Ban Me, bro... Go to Ban Me, bro?"

Sitting on the hammock, I shook my head and waved my hand quickly, but I could still see the smile on his face even though the night had fallen. The stoves in the shack were still burning, the coals crackling as if inviting tourists to stop by.

Born and raised in Buon Me, as a child of the Central Highlands, I am always happy to be in this land. The land is not only rich in specialties such as coffee, pepper, cashew, macadamia... but also warm in humanity, full of spiritual culture from epics, to culinary literature, traditional dishes of bamboo rice, grilled chicken, bitter eggplant salad, dried fish...

Source: https://baodanang.vn/ngot-ngay-bap-luoc-o-nui-3308310.html