When using fresh corn in place of canned or frozed, should I cook the corn first?
I have a couple recipes that call for frozen or canned corn. If I want to use fresh corn instead, should it be cooked first or will it cook with the rest of the ingredients (like a casserole for example)?
Best Answer
Good question! Corn is very versatile. I've found that fresh and frozen whole kernel corn are very interchangeable when used in casseroles. Most casseroles cook long enough that you could use either without making any adjustments.
However, canned corn is a different animal. Because it is more processed I would use it in recipes that call for it but I would not consider it a substitute for fresh or frozen.
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Do you cook corn before canning it?
Blanching Corn for Canning A blancher works well or just use a large stockpot. You do not want to cook the corn, just blanch it. I find it easier to cut it off the cob this way. I read that many people skip this blanching step.Should you cook fresh corn before freezing?
Blanching is a mustThe natural enzymes in corn need to be inactivated before freezing to prevent both loss of color and nutrients, and flavor and texture changes. These enzymes are inactivated by a hot blanch treatment. The chilling process prevents the corn from becoming mushy due to overcooking the starch.Can I substitute canned corn for frozen corn in a recipe?
Most casseroles cook long enough that you could use either without making any adjustments. However, canned corn is a different animal. Because it is more processed I would use it in recipes that call for it but I would not consider it a substitute for fresh or frozen.Do you have to blanch corn before canning?
You don't have to blanch the corn before canning, but some people swear it helps with the flavor and ease of cutting the kernels off the cob. Here's how to blanch corn. Boil a large pot of water and prepare an ice bath near, typically in your sink.Absolute Easiest Way to Freeze Fresh Sweet Corn Off the Cob - 16 Bags of Corn EASY
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Answer 2
You want to cook fresh corn as quickly as possible.
Picking corn will start the process by which the sugars in the corn will convert to starches. Although american sweet corn has been bred for additional sugar so it will still be sweet for a day or so, you typically want to cook corn immediately so that it'll retain its sweetness.
It doesn't need to be a long cook -- a couple of minutes in boiling water, or a few minutes on the grill will suffice.
If you get your corn from a farmstand, so it was picked the same day, and you're cooking the casserole immediately, you might be able to get away without cooking it ... but it's possible that the leftovers might suffer, if the corn isn't heated sufficiently.
Also note that some people have more problems digested raw corn as compared to cooked.
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