August 05, 2007
My Favorite Tool
That got your attention, didn't it! :-)
Last Sunday Mama Vi, Dee and I put up 27 quarts of corn. Some of the best corn you'll have.
It's the same corn my Grandma did. And let me just tell you folks - it's very good.......
I have had a few emails asking me how we did it, and since people think I have such a hard time keeping a secret, I might as well live up to that reputation. I'm gonna let you peak into our family "closet".
We started out with 10 dozen ears. It was that very sweet "mixed" corn. Yellow and white. Not overly ripe. We husked it and cleaned it up nice.
Then we par-boiled it for 7 minutes. Mama is adamant that it be 7 minutes exactly. No more. No less. Then, you plunge it into cool water. Again for 7 minutes. Exactly.
Now, is where my favorite tool comes into play. It's Lee's Wooden Corn Cutter. Mama's is as old as I am, and Dee has taken custody of it. Seems my family was a little scared to allow me to own my own "cutter" anything. Huh. Imagine that...
Anyway, nice and easy, you simply slide the cobs down the trough. It really only takes a couple of minutes per ear.
The corn comes off the cob, nice and clean, without any of the cob. AND, here's the secret, you get some of the cream as well.
We use large wash pans to hold the corn as we cut it off. After you fill the pan, add approx. 1 cup of sugar. Mix well and put it in a freezer baggie.
Lie flat and freeze.
1 bag will feed two to three people.
It's what we call "company corn". I served it during the very first Bad Example Family Reunion down in Orlando. And I have to be honest - it was very well received.
Anyway - that's it. Just that simple. And just that good.
But the secret, the bottom line, what makes it good and easy? The tool. It's all about the tool.....
Posted by Tammi at August 5, 2007 07:40 AM | TrackBackI actually convinced my grandmother before she passed that I just had to have hers, and wam she gave it to me right there on the spot. It makes the best corn ever.
I actually think that some of the old harware stores around here sell them.
Posted by: stacy lee at August 5, 2007 07:48 AMThank you so much for passing along the recipe and method. I am clueless in the kitchen, and even had to Google 'parboil'!
I'm watching an auction for one of the corn cutters and copied this post to notepad and titled it: "Tammi's Company Corn". :D
Posted by: pam at August 5, 2007 09:15 AMWell received? Holy crap it was the best corn I've ever had. I think I still dream about that corn.
And I have NEVER heard of this corn cutter thing. Hmmmm.
Posted by: Bou at August 5, 2007 09:26 PMNo shit! I've been tryin' to tell every woman I've run across that it's all about the tool. And you finally figure it out.
You go girl.
Tammi,
I just cut Dad's ear of corn with a sharp knife and a bowl. It's tricky. Someday I'm gonna cut myself. I'll have to check out this tool.
Oh NOW you mention that little gadget, after I have my corn put up!
Posted by: Raging Mom at August 6, 2007 05:41 AM