Anyone who's ever eaten corn knows that its seed coat, or pericarp, is durable enough to whisk a kernel through the digestive system completely intact. That's admirable, given that its primary purpose is to protect the corn seed from damage, but corn that doesn't digest has no value as a food. Removing the seed coat makes the corn more available to the digestive system, but the strong alkali has a second purpose as well: It alters the corn's cellular structure to make B vitamins, especially niacin, more accessible to the human body. In cultures where corn is the daily staple, nixtamalization prevents a debilitating vitamin-deficiency illness called pellagra.

The alkaline chemical usually used to strip the corn is called lye, or sodium hydroxide. Food-grade lye has to be ordered from specialized suppliers, and it's extremely potent. It can cause serious skin irritation, especially if it splashes on the delicate membranes of your eyes or nostrils. Many traditional-food enthusiasts, who would otherwise relish the opportunity to make their own hominy, are deterred by this. You can achieve the same effect with other alkaline chemicals, such as baking soda, which are less risky and intimidating.

To make the hominy, you'll need a large stainless steel pot. Aluminum reacts chemically with the soda, so don't use it. The ratio of water to soda to corn is easy to remember. You'll need 1 tablespoon of baking soda for every 1 quart of water, and 2 quarts of water for every 1 quart of dry field corn you wish to process. Open your windows and turn on the range hood fan, and bring the soda solution to a full boil. Boil the corn for 30 minutes, stirring periodically to keep it from sticking, then let it stand for at least 20 minutes. Drain the corn and rinse it with several changes of hot water to remove the soda, then cold water to cool it.

To finish making your hominy, place the corn in a bowl under running water and rub it between your hands, so the hulls slide off. Slip the bare kernels into a colander, and rinse them thoroughly. Boil the hominy in clean, fresh water for five minutes, then drain it and change the water. Do this four times in total, to remove any lingering soda, then simmer the corn for 30 to 45 minutes until it has softened. The corn can be drained and frozen for later use, or canned in a pressure canner. Pint jars require an hour of processing at 11 psi, and quart jars require 70 minutes.