Tuesday Tip: Cutting corn off the cob

Oh farm fresh corn how we love you! You signal to us that it’s time for summer and that means crab boils, cookouts, camping, and maybe a few nights spent around the fire-pit.  You are very versatile and can be used in so many ways!

Sometimes a recipe calls for fresh corn cut off the cob and if you haven’t done it before or you’re not sure how to go about it, taking corn off the cob can be tricky business.

Corn is odd shaped and cutting it can be a test of patience and quick reflexes.  It can also get messy because corn actually carries a lot of liquid with it.

It doesn’t have to be a game of culinary roulette though!  Nope.  I promise, cutting corn off the cob can be done easily though you still need to stay focused during the task.  No one wants a runaway cob.  Remember that kids.

What do you need to successfully cut corn off the cob without making a mess or losing digits?

A bundt pan.

I swear it’s for cutting the corn and not for a corn cake or molded vegetable Jell-O salad (Ew, right? That has to be straight outta the 60s.)  Multitask your kitchen tools!  Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Once the fresh corn is husked and the corn silk is removed, place the corn in the bundt pan like so.  The hole in the bundt pan helps secure the corn cob in place.  Is it super sturdy? No, you still have to be careful but it does give you support which is what you need when cutting the corn off the cob.

Step 2: Slice straight down.  See how the corn just falls to the bottom of the pan?  This will catch all the kernels and the juice that comes out.  Once you clear a section, scrape it down a few more times to make sure you get all the corn goodness off the cob.

Step 3: Turn the cob and repeat Step 2 until all the corn is off the cob.

Step 4: You’re done! And now you have all the corn plus juice nicely contained in a pan and not all over your counter, floor, ceiling, and possibly fridge.  The corn has been freed and is now ready for whatever you want to use it for.   Except Jello salad!

“But A, now what do I do with these corn cobs?!”

Well if you’re lucky enough to have a kid who loves fresh veggies, like mine does, feel free to give them a taste.

Just a few licks though!  No chewing or eating the cob as that won’t digest all that well.  It helps if you have a seriously long boxer tongue to ensure you are able to lick the entire perimeter of the cob.

Bonus points if your kid gets that crazy gypsy-eyed look on their face at the prospect of, “ZOMG! I can has fresh cobby corns!”

But if you would like to be more practical, the cobs can be added to soups and chili during simmer time for extra flavor and creaminess.  Or toss it in with a pot of beans!

Now what are you going to make with some fresh corn? :D

9 thoughts on “Tuesday Tip: Cutting corn off the cob

  1. FIgirl says:

    Bundt pan is an awesome idea! Wish I had come across your blog earlier today. Made a bit of a mess with a dozen ears but it was well worth it. Put together a yummy salad with corn, chunks of tomato, green peppers, purple peppers, rice vinegar, parsley and garlic salt. Perfect side dish for these hot summer days! Love the pix of the pooch! Big boxer fan here. THX again for the tip.

  2. Great idea!

    If you blanche and shock the corn first, then cut this way, it freezes really well. I did this with a HUGE batch of corn last summer and it lasted me most of the winter.

    Our chickens love the corn cobs. They burn well too, if you happen to be sitting around the campfire on the same night you’re eating corn.

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