Many sweet corn growers are reporting their earliest harvest days on record.

The early spring and recent warm weather made this year's record early harvest possible. Assuming continued good weather in the coming month or so, consumers can expect an abundant supply of Pennsylvania sweet corn at community farmers' markets, roadside farm markets and supermarkets across the state throughout the summer.

Sweet corn is the leading vegetable crop in the Commonwealth with about 17,800 acres grown annually. About eighty-six percent of this sweet corn acreage is grown for fresh market sales. As a result, Pennsylvania ranks as the seventh largest fresh-market sweet corn producing state in the nation. About 2,400 acres of the sweet corn acreage are grown to be processed into frozen, dried or canned corn products available year around. Fresh corn will be available from late June into October.

The following corn recipes offer other creative methods to enjoy Pennsylvania sweet corn. These recipes were entered in the 2009 Pennsylvania "Simply Delicious" Vegetable Recipe Contest. Additional recipes are available at www.paveggies.org.

Information provided by the Pennsylvania Vegetable Marketing and Research Program.

The Pennsylvania Vegetable Marketing and Research Program offers these tips when buying sweet corn:Look for fresh green husks and ears that are filled all the way to the tip.Kernels should be tender, full and firm enough to puncture easily under the slightest pressure.To preserve the corn's sugar content and flavor, refrigerate immediately after purchase.