Fresh corn is a summer treat, but it can be hard to get it off the cob without making a mess. There are a few easy ways to get corn off the cob quickly and without the mess. You can call corn a fruit, a vegetable, or a whole grain, and you’d be right. It depends on how the corn is cooked. Corn is a great part of a healthy diet, whether you eat it like Popcorn, a side dish, or any recipe.
You can cut the corn off the cob before cooking it in a stir-fry or roasted corn dish cooked in a skillet. But be careful! As the corn cooks, it can pop out of the pan and make a mess again.
What is Corn?
It seems like it would be easy to answer whether or not corn is a vegetable, but in reality, it’s a bit trickier.
Like the kind you eat right off the cob, Whole corn is a vegetable, and grain is the corn kernel, where Popcorn comes from. In particular, this type of corn is a “whole” grain. Many grains, like Popcorn, are thought of as fruits to make things even more confusing, and they do this because they come from the plant’s seeds or flowers.
On the other hand, vegetables come from leaves, stems, and other parts. Because of this, some foods that people think of as vegetables, like tomatoes and avocados, are fruits. So, corn is both a vegetable and a fruit, and it is also a whole grain. But corn is good for you and can be part of a healthy diet no matter what it looks like or what category it fits into. Even plain Popcorn can be good for you if you cook it without oil, butter, or salt.
How to Cut Corn Off the Cob?
Find out how to get corn off the cob without making a big mess.
The two-bowl method: Put a small bowl upside down inside a larger bowl. Put the tip of the cob on top of the small bowl. Hold the other end of the cob and use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off each side of the cob. The kernels will start to pile up in the big bowl.
Using a bundt pan: The best way to catch corn kernels is in a bundt pan. Put the end of the cob in the hole in the center of the bundt pan. Holding the end of the cob in one hand, carefully cut down the sides of the cob with a sharp knife.
Put a baking sheet or dish with a rim on the counter using a sheet pan. Put the tip of the cob right on the baking sheet. Hold the corn a little bit sideways. Cut the corn off the cob with a sharp chef’s knife. In the dish, the kernels will gather.
Using a cutting board: This method needs more skill with a knife than the others, but experienced home cooks can use it to good effect. Lay the corn flat on a cutting board and cut it half horizontally with a sharp knife. Once you’ve cut off one side, roll the cob onto its flat side and keep cutting around it.
3 Tips for Cutting Corn Off the Cob
Think about some more helpful ways to get corn off the cob.
- Use a sharp knife. A dull knife is one of the most dangerous things you can use when cooking. If the blade is dull, you’ll have to press harder on the cob as you cut, leading to bad things. A sharp chef’s knife will do most of the work for you.
- Go for the gadgets. The corn stripper was made so that you didn’t have to use a sharp knife to get the kernels off the cob. If you don’t like sharp chef’s knives, you might want to get a corn stripper.
- Don’t completely shuck the corn before cutting it. It can be hard to hold husked corn. Instead, peel back the husk and clean the corn cob, but leave the husk on the end of the cob. The husk will make it easier to hold the ear of corn while cutting off the kernels.
How to Use Freshly Cut Corn?
Freshly cut summer corn can be used in many different ways and is the star of many summer side dishes served at BBQs. Think about some different ways to use freshly cut corn in recipes.
Grill it first. Grilled corn is great right off the cob, but grilled corn that has been cut up makes a corn salad even better. Try making a Mexican corn salad with grilled corn.
Sweeten things up. Sweet corn gives cornbread and corn chowder just the right amount of sweetness.
Freeze it for later. Fresh sweet corn is often sold at farmers’ markets in the summer, but you can eat it all year long if you freeze it. Spread the cut corn out in a single layer on a baking sheet and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Then take the flash-frozen corn off the baking sheet and put it in a zip-top bag or a container that won’t let air in.
What are the Health Benefits of Eating Corn?
Corn is good for your health in some ways. But the benefits are a little different depending on what kind of corn you eat, like Popcorn or sweet corn.
Whole grains include corn. Whole grains are exactly what they sound like: the whole grain. Whole grains are the healthiest way to eat grains. They have fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The amount of vitamin A in corn is much higher than in other grains. Also, it has a lot of antioxidants. Corn is also a vegetable with a lot of starch, and some other starchy vegetables have more sugar, fat, and sodium than others.
There are a lot of nutrients in both corn on the cob and plain Popcorn. Among them are:
Other health benefits of corn include:
Because it has lutein and zeaxanthin, it is good for eye health. It also has some antioxidants that are good for the body, and its high fiber content helps prevent diverticular disease and lowers LDL.
How to Eat Corn?
Corn can be cooked and served in many different ways. You’ve probably had Popcorn and corn on the cob, but there are a lot of other recipes and ways to eat more corn. The most common ways to eat corn are probably steamed or popped, but here are a few recipes to get you started on finding new ways to add corn to your diet.
1. Whole Grain Corn Muffins
Corn muffins are a good addition to any meal, and they are a healthier alternative to plain white rolls.
2. Corn and Tomato Pasta Salad
This dish is a great way to eat healthily. If you take out the shredded chicken, it can go with almost any meal as a side dish.
3. Corn and Cheese Chowder
This warm and hearty soup is perfect for a cool fall or winter day. It takes only 15 minutes to make, so it’s quick and easy, and it makes enough for a big family or leftovers.
4. Mexican Grilled Corn With Cilantro
This new way to make corn on the cob will be a big hit at any outdoor cookout.
5. Baked Cream Corn
When you bring this easy-to-make casserole to the next potluck or dinner party, you’ll be the show’s star.
6. Classic Succotash
This dish takes a little longer to make, but it’s worth it because it’s healthy and tastes great.
7. Quick-pickled Corn
This quick-pickled corn is perfect if you’re looking for something you can make ahead of time. It’s easy to make but needs to sit in the fridge for at least a day. On a warm day, it goes perfectly with your meal.
How to Shuck Corn?
- It doesn’t have to be such a pain! Find a comfortable place to sit and get a paper bag for the husks.
- Peel off the green leaves on the outside until you are left with just one thin layer of husk and the silk “tassel.”
- Then, pull back the leaves at the ear’s tip. Grab the tops of the leaves and the silk tassel with one hand. With the other hand, grab the bottom of the ear.
- Next, pull down along the ear to the bottom to flip the cob and husk over in one strong motion.
- Gather the leaves, husk, and silk together, and then break them off the bottom of the ear. Throw away everything except for the corn.
- You only need to pick up the loose silk threads, which hopefully aren’t too many.
How to freeze corn?
Taking the kernels of corn off the cob is a great way to get summer corn ready to eat later. When you find a good deal on fresh corn, buy more than you need. Cut the corn off the cob and put it in freezer bags for soups, stews, pot pies, and other hearty winter meals. Frozen corn on the cob takes up more space than frozen corn in a bag. And frozen corn recipes are a great way to remind yourself that summer is almost here.
What’s the History of Corn?
Corn was first grown in the Americas, and it is the most widely grown crop on Earth, and it is called maize in many parts of the world.
The three most popular types of corn are:
- This is what you would usually find in a grocery store.
- Field corn, also known as “dent corn,” is used to feed cattle and other animals, and some industrial items also use it.
- Indian corn, also called “flint corn,” is a type of corn that comes in many different colors and is often used as a Thanksgiving decoration. And Popcorn is also made from a type of corn.
Conclusion
You can cut the corn off the cob before cooking it in a stir-fry or roasted corn dish cooked in a skillet. But be careful! As the corn cooks, it can pop out of the pan and make a mess again. A fry splatter screen can help keep everything inside the pan.
