What is the most efficient way to remove kernels from a corn cob?
I have access to as much sweet corn as I want, so I would like to remove the kernels and store them in the freezer.
What is the most efficient (low time, high recovery) way to remove the kernels from the cob? I would prefer to get whole kernels if possible.
I have been using a paring knife, slicing down the sides of the cob onto a cutting board but I find that this slices through most of the kernels, leaving a good bit on the cob and allowing the liquid to escape.
Best Answer
I have read that if you get a bundt pan (see image below) and stick the cob in the middle hole, and then cut the kernels off as you have been, the pan then catches them quite easily. how to get them off the cob without slicing, though, I really do not know.
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Quick Answer about "What is the most efficient way to remove kernels from a corn cob?"
Place one end of the cob on the inverted, smaller bowl. Then, using a sharp chef's knife, cut downward, as close to the base of the kernels as possible, while taking care not to angle the blade into the cob itself. Rotate the ear of corn, and repeat the cut until all the kernels have been removed.What is the easiest way to remove corn from the cob?
You can buy a corn stripper \u2014 a special tool with the sole purpose of removing the kernels from an ear of corn \u2014 but I'm not one for single-use kitchen items.How To Remove Corn Kernels Off The Cob Manually Without Damaging Them
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Answer 2
What's wrong with letting the liquid escape? The liquid is good! When I freeze sweetcorn, I slice through just the outer part of the kernels, and then turn the knife sideways and scrape to release the rest of the delicious gooey liquid inside them... I'm not particularly fond of the flavor or texture of the cob-side anyway, and the creamy result can be packed and frozen with a minimal amount of air.
I highly recommend using a chef's knife instead of a paring knife though. A big cutting board and a bench scraper also come in handy. If you're doing a lot of corn at once, a baking sheet works well to catch the juice.
Growing up, we'd get a bunch of people together and do bushels of the stuff in an afternoon - cooking, icing, cutting, scraping, and packing simultaneously. With a bit of practice, you become quite fast at it.
But, if you're simply looking for a quick way to process the ears alone, there are specialized tools made for this job: search for corn creamer or corn cutter.
You could probably use a mandoline as well, provided you're able to adjust the depth of the blade. Frankly though, this seems cumbersome. Practice with the knife...
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