Monday, August 29, 2011

Eat what you like and freeze the rest


Before August has faded away I will add a garden update for two catbirds, or just to log that we're still doin' it, despite the odds.  On the weekend I made some tomato sauce and froze some corn.  The corn has been magnificent--especially the SUGAR PEARL variety.   
Here's my technique:
  1. Pick corn.
  2. Shuck corn.  Deposit husks immediately into compost.
  3. Wash corn and use the little brush that's made for the strings.  They really work!
  4. Having a good work space is important, although it can be small.  Having a clean work space is important too.  For me this means sweeping the floor and eliminating whatever the contamination of the hour is.
  5. Here's my set up: a banking sheet with a small cutting board to slice the corn off the cob.
  6. Dump the corn in a bowl as needed.  
  7. Freeze in bags, preferably heavy-duty ziploc gallon-sized freezer bags.  Skimping on the plastic can age the corn faster.  Don't forget to label the bags first with date and variety of contents.
  8. Give the cobs to the chickens or the worms.  They'll love you forever.
  9. When it's time to cook, just put whatever amount of corn you want in boiling water enough to heat.  Welcome August all winter long.  
I did an experiment with spreading the corn on a cookie sheet to flash freeze it separately before putting in the bag, but it didn't seem worth the trouble.  If the corn is sticking together, just chisel or gently break off the piece you want from the bag. 

1 comment:

twocatbirds said...

we enjoy the creamed frozen corn as supplied by a long time farmer neighbor. Also it is fun to have some "on the cob" should you have freezer space which is sometimes limited. Two catbirds are still alive and well, but not sure about the receivership of these notes. Our garden seems to be pooping out (loose sense of the word) due to lack of rain, late start, air pollution, etc. Looks like raspberries and razz-a-ma-tazz will be non-existent this season. Always good to get your gardening suggestions. Two Catbirds