Astounding method for shucking corn

[Hank Hanover]

You folks have to see this method of shucking corn. It's amazing!

http://www.tiphero.com/tips_5115_easi...

[blue room]

Cowabunga-- ! Will certainly try this in the summer.
Does anyone know *why* this works?

[Caitlin McGrath]

If you microwave corn in the husk, the silk strips cleanly away without any strays after it's cooked. This method simply takes advantage of that fact in a sort of showy (but also practical) way.

[alkapal]

one thing that i do know, microwaving corn is a super way to cook it. i usually have shucked, then wrapped in a damp paper towel, then zapped. it is really nice that way. i normally zap about 3 ears for about 5-6 minutes…then maybe a little more if that isn't enough.

[magiesmom]

the few times I have microwaved corn I have always shucked it afterwards.
But for more than a couple of ears, it is a very slow method.

[monavano]

that's exactly what I do when I want to get it fast and easy. I sometimes use a damp terry towel and just let it steam in the towel until I'm ready to eat it.
Shocking how good the micro cooks corn on the cob.

[alkapal]

yes, i shuck it first because it is too hot to handle if i nuke it first, then shuck.

[monavano]

Yes, I'd rather get the dirty work out of the way first. If I grill, it's usually with the husk on, back that's a different bowl of corn ;-)

[Caitlin McGrath]

I find that if I let it sit for a few minutes after it comes out of the microwave, it's not too hot to shuck, but the ear is still perfectly hot inside for eating. To me, the benefits of leaving the "dirty work" for after are that a) it's not "dirty," in the sense that the silk strips off cleanly and effortlessly once it's microwaved, and b) it steams so perfectly in its own package.

I do like the tip of cutting off the end first because then you don't even need to strip the stuff from the end of the cob.

[cheesemaestro]

Nice! At my age, for every new thing that I learn, I forget something that I already knew, so I'm not sure I'll remember this trick. Perhaps you could bring this thread back up to the top next summer to remind us. Thanks for sharing.

[Clarkafella]

Wonder if it would work with roasted corn?

[Bada Bing]

I wondered the same,and I think it would work with any cooking method (grilling, steaming) when cobs are cooked in the whole husk. The trick seems to lie in cutting the bottom of the cob away, thus severing the "base" of all the fibers, and then hanging on to the fibers at the other end.

Neat idea....

[egbluesuede]

so the microwave really doen't have anything to do with the easy shucking? Could you cut raw corn in this manner, and then grill it?

[Bada Bing]

Who knows? But why cut it first? Cutting it after cooking would more effectively seal in moisture.

[Caitlin McGrath]

If the silk comes away as cleanly after roasting or grilling in the husk as after steaming (in the microwave or not), it should work. I think this is about the fact that the silk strips completely and easily from corn microwaved in the husk, regardless of whether you use this method or just pull it down as normal.

[alkapal]

right…and the silk does not come clean easily after grilling in the husk. but…maybe if i cut the end off, it will. can't wait till corn season! ;-).

[gfr1111]

Thanks! This is an interesting tip. Eight minutes seems like a lot of time in the microwave for two ears of corn. Does the corn get over cooked in that period of time? Do the husks adequately protect the corn? Does the corn then require further cooking? I'll be curious to find out.

[chowser]

That is a long time for two ears of corn. I do about five but he could have a less powerful microwave. At that point you can just remove the husks and eat. The corn is perfectly steamed in the husks.

[Quine]

Microwaving fresh corn is a very good method, steams/cooks them in their own husks, enhances the flavor.

[opinionatedchef]

i must be in the minority but we just shuck our corn and nuke it nude, usually 4 min on high for 2-3 ears.

[chowser]

Those gloves are a great idea for this. I've burned my hands too many times w/ microwaved corn and my oven mitts are too big.

[The Dairy Queen]

I got ONE of those oven mitts as a gift for Christmas last year... It is pretty awesome, but I wish they'd have sold them as a pair!

~TDQ

[chowser]

Where do you get them? They'll make great Christmas presents!

[mrbigshotno.1]

Walgreens

[Quine]

Or Walmart, sorta anyplace that carries "As seen on TV" products.

[Hank Hanover]

I just ordered a pair off ebay for $24.49 including shipping.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-New-Ove-Glo...

[chowser]

Thanks, everyone--I'll check them out.

[alkapal]

cvs has them too -- "ove gloves." they are bulky, but work well. wish they were longer, though.

[coll]

I have a pair, without the grid marks, they came with my Popeil rotisserie, I always considered them to be the best thing about this gift, indispensible for removing large roasts from the pan. I should use them more often I guess.

[alkapal]

so neat! SUPER TIP! will share.

thanks hank!

[mrbigshotno.1]

I saw this after all the corn trucks shut down in Sept., I'll have to remember to try it too.

[Quine]

That *is* a pretty sweet looking method.

[coll]

This is very interesting, I hope I remember next summer when the corn comes in!!