Kitchen Hack to Get Corn Silk Off Easy

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We all love sweet corn, but it can be tricky to prep, clean or freeze. Here's how to get the most out of those golden kernels.

The season of fresh sweet corn is short and, well, sweet! But working with the gorgeous, golden ears in the kitchen can be frustrating. Corn silk is stubborn, and removing kernels can be so messy.

That's why we're sharing our favorite tips and tricks for getting the most out of summer's sweet corn.

1. Remove corn silk (yes, all of it)

Your produce brush is a handy tool for scrubbing corn silk off the cobs. After shucking the corn, gently brush each ear under running water. The silks will come right off. (Don't have a produce brush? We like this one.)

2. Cut off kernels without the mess

Grab a chef's knife and carefully stand the shucked ear in the center of a Bundt pan. If you don't have one—or you don't want to risk nicking its finish—use a small bowl inverted inside a larger one, like we did above. The pan (or bowl) will catch the kernels and milk from the fresh-cut corn. Try these other surprising uses for a Bundt pan.

Psst: 1 ear of fresh corn = 2/3 cup of kernels

3. Keep it warm on the go

If you're on your way to a potluck and don't want to cook corn on-site or tote it in a slow cooker, we've got you covered. All you need are some microwaveable hot packs (like those used for sore muscles) and a cooler. Heat the packs, then add them to the cooler with hot, individually wrapped ears of corn. Everything will stay heated and ready to eat.

4. Don't forget, it freezes like a charm

Are you ready for sweet corn any time of the year? Follow this yummy freezer sweet corn recipe. Freeze in airtight containers allowing headspace for expansion. For an authentic farmhouse aesthetic, freeze it in Grandma's vintage mason jar collection. People will ask you how your frozen corn tastes just as good as the fresh stuff.

Love these hacks? You can find hundreds more in our new book, Kitchen Hacks and Recipes That Go with Them.It's just $19 on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

So Many Ways to Love Fresh Corn

Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp

This recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, California

Slow-Cooker Sriracha Corn

A restaurant here advertised Sriracha corn on the cob, but I knew I could make my own. The golden ears cooked up a little sweet, a little smoky and a little hot—perfect if you ask my three teenage boys! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Corn Quesadillas

My cheesy corn quesadillas take only minutes going from skillet to table. They make craveable leftovers for brown bag lunches, so pack the salsa, too. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Tomato and Corn Cheesy Pastry Bites

Local veggies and herbs have a magical knack for inspiring me to cook. After my CSA box arrived, I used the fresh ingredients to create this adorable appetizer. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewers

The inspiration for this recipe came from the charbroiled chicken skewers I used to enjoy while strolling along Calle Ocho in Miami on Sunday afternoons. Feel free to garnish them with sesame seeds or spritz them with fresh lime juice. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida

Ricotta, Tomato & Corn Pasta

I love to make healthy meals with produce from my latest farmers market trip. This pasta takes just 30 minutes from pantry to dinner table. You can easily make it a meat entree by adding cooked, shredded chicken. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, California

Buttery-Onion Corn on the Cob

My mother has been making this oven-roasted corn on the cob recipe for years. Every time I make it for company they rave and can't believe how easy it is! —Lisa Denson, Decatur, Alabama

Tomato-Herb Grilled Tilapia

This super tilapia with ginger and lemon takes dinner over the top with minimal prep. Grilling the fish in foil is about as easy as it gets. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Jalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn

One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you're really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

Cheesy Ham & Corn Chowder

When the day calls for a warm bowl of chunky soup, we make a big pot of the goods—potatoes, corn, ham and cheese. —Andrea Laidlaw, Shady Side, Maryland

Fresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine

This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with the best of fresh garden produce. It's tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a little feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

Southern Cornbread Salad

To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It's beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden produce. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

Fresh from the Garden Wraps

We moved into a house with a garden that needed tending. Using the herbs we found, we made these fresh-tastic wraps for our first dinner there. —Chris Bugher, Asheville, North Carolina

German Brat Seafood Boil

Grilled bratwurst and onion add a smoky flavor to corn, potatoes and fish for a hearty meal that's always a hit with my family. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Baked Sweet Corn Croquettes

These delicious corn croquettes are baked like muffins instead of fried. They can be served with butter, but my family prefers salsa as an accompaniment. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas

Summertime Tomato Salad

My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Grilled Corn in the Husk

If you're new to grilled corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It's especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

Chip-Crusted Grilled Corn

For my version of Mexican street corn, I roll the ears in crushed chips. For extra pizazz, try different chip flavors like ranch dressing and jalapeno. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

Grilled Corn Medley

Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Zucchini & Sweet Corn Souffle

As novice gardeners, my husband and I sowed zucchini seeds—15 hills' worth! Happily, my family requests this corn souffle side dish often, so it's a keeper. —Carol Ellerbroek, Gladstone, Illinois

Summer Orzo

I'm always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Summer Garden Fish Tacos

I like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you've got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois

Slow-Cooked Cajun Corn

My husband loves corn on the cob, and I love this slow-cooker recipe because I don't have to stand at a hot stove. We like a little spice, so the Cajun seasoning works well for us, but any spice blend works. —Audra Rorick, Lyons, Kansas

Elote Corn

Elote, otherwise known as Mexican street corn, is grilled, covered in mayo, and then sprinkled with chili powder, Cotija and cilantro. A squeeze of lime juice is the perfect finishing touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Chorizo Burrito Bowls

I'm always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Maryland Corn Pops

Fresh-picked sweet corn is a big thing in Maryland. Here's my homespun version of Mexican street corn that brings in local bay flavors. —Kristie Schley, Severna Park, Maryland

Grilled Southwestern Potato Salad

This salad is perfect with a grilled steak for a Tex-Mex meal, and most of it can even be prepared out in the backyard. Poblanos and cayenne make it pop. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Jalapeno Buttermilk Cornbread

If you're from the South, you have to have a good cornbread recipe. Here's a lightened-up version of my mom's traditional cornbread that tastes just as delicious. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas

Grilled Spicy Corn on the Cob

During a family picnic, we added jalapenos and hot pepper sauce to our homegrown corn. Now we spice up the ears every chance we get. —Bernadette Walker, Waco, Texas

Grilled Tomato with Fresh Corn

Grilling the tomatoes and corn makes this side dish feel special and it's so simple to do. I like to serve it with French bread, but it's "killer" dished up on its own. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Shrimp & Corn Stir-Fry

I make this seafood stir-fry at summer's end when my garden is producing plenty of tomatoes, squash, garlic and corn. For a quick supper, we serve it over rice. —Lindsay Honn, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Freezer Sweet Corn

People ask me how to freeze corn on the cob because my frozen corn tastes as good as fresh! This way it stays crisp-tender and now I can have "fresh" corn any time of the year. —Judy Oudekerk, St. Michael, Minnesota

Corn Fritter Waffles with Spicy Maple Syrup

My family used to vacation at a resort in Vermont that served corn fritters with maple syrup. Now when I serve these waffles for breakfast or supper, I'm transported back to those simple days of childhood. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, Virginia

Frogmore Stew

This picnic-style medley of shrimp, smoked kielbasa, corn and spuds is a specialty of South Carolina cuisine. It's commonly dubbed Frogmore stew or Beaufort stew in recognition of the two low country communities that lay claim to its origin. No matter what you call it, this one-pot wonder won't disappoint! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Summertime Tomato Salad

My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

Sweet Corn and Potato Gratin

This tasty potato gratin side dish combines great garlic and onion flavor, and kids love the nice crispy topping, too! —Jennifer Olson, Pleasanton, California

Zippy Chicken and Corn Chowder

Gently spiced corn chowder is always a good option for kids, but feel free to rev up yours with hot pepper sauce. This chowder's a lifesaver on busy weeknights. —Andrea Early, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Corn with Cilantro-Lime Butter

I like to use fresh cilantro from my garden in this lime butter I created especially for grilled corn. —Andrea Reynolds, Westlake, Ohio

Layered Grilled Corn Salad

This has been a go-to dish for me throughout the years. It's great as a side or can be served for a light lunch in lettuce cups, with warm crusty bread. —Angela Smith, Bluffton, South Carolina

Kathy's Herbed Corn

My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill. —Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, Ohio

Farmer's Market Corn Salad

I love fresh corn on the cob, especially grilled, so I am always looking for innovative ways to serve it. This recipe takes the corn right off the cob and combines it with fresh basil. —Haras Cindie, Jupiter, Florida

Sauteed Corn with Cheddar

My husband only likes this kind of corn, so I make this about once a week. Plus, it's so easy that anyone can make this in a jiffy! —Sarah Cope, Dundee, New York

Fresh Spinach Tamale Pie

I got this recipe from my mother, who loved quick and easy meals for dinner. I made a few variations by adding spinach, bell peppers and fresh corn. The changes were well worth it––my family and friends love this dish!—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Smoky Grilled Corn on the Cob

We love corn and are always looking for new ways to enjoy it. This tastes great right off the grill but leftovers are delicious in salads and tacos. I like to let the corn cool, cut it off the cob, then top it with butter and fresh cracked pepper. —Rachel Smith, Vicksburg, Michigan

Fresh Corn Fettuccine

I really love corn so it wasn't much of a leap to figure out that with the help of a food processor, I could turn fresh corn kernels into an end-of-the-season sweet sauce that's ideal over pasta. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Grilled Corn Hummus Tostadas

This recipe is a combo of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines, giving it a unique taste. Avocado and hummus may sound like a weird mix, but they really go together well. —Lauren McAnelly, Des Moines, Iowa

Mexican Street Corn Bake

We discovered Mexican street corn at a festival. This easy one-pan version saves on prep and cleanup. Every August, I freeze a lot of our own fresh sweet corn, and I use that in this recipe, but store-bought corn works just as well. —Erin Wright, Wallace, Kansas

Spicy Corn Kabobs

Corn transforms from so-so kernels to tangy sensation when grilled, dotted with sour cream and cheese and zinged with a splash of lime. —Leah Lenz, Los Angeles, California

Garlic Corn on the Cob

It makes the flavor of the corn really pop!

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Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/sweet-corn-tricks/

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