Chewy Sweet Corn Steaming Method
The Best Snack Made with Freshly Harvested Chewy Sweet Corn from a Sunny Garden
I want to share the joy of harvesting the first chewy sweet corn of the year with you all! I loved it so much last year that I planted an extra row of chewy sweet corn in my garden this year. However, due to frequent, unexpected rain, the kernels didn’t fill out completely. Although a bit disappointing, I’ve harvested a few cobs that are wonderfully plump. The uniquely chewy texture of sweet corn is always the best! Let me share the secret to steaming chewy sweet corn, the quintessential summer snack, to perfection.
Ingredients- 4-5 Chewy Sweet Corn cobs
- Large pot
- Steamer basket or colander
- Water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Did you know that chewy sweet corn tastes best when steamed immediately after harvesting? This is because the flavor gradually diminishes with storage. While today’s harvested corn isn’t fully filled out, I selected cobs with a lively, chewy texture. When steaming corn, it’s important not to remove the silks and inner husks completely. Leave some of the inner husks that gently wrap the corn, and peel off only the outer husks. Leaving a moderate amount of silks is also good, as it helps prevent moisture loss, resulting in moister steamed corn.
Step 2
Place a steamer basket or colander in a large pot. Add enough water so that it does not reach the bottom of the steamer basket. Be careful not to add too much water, as boiling the corn can reduce its chewy texture.
Step 3
Arrange the prepared chewy sweet corn cobs on the steamer basket, crossing them over each other. Placing the corn in an alternating pattern allows the steam to circulate evenly between the cobs, ensuring a more uniform cooking process.
Step 4
Close the lid of the pot and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once steam is actively rising, maintain high heat and steam for 20 to 30 minutes. Since today’s corn cobs weren’t completely filled, I steamed them for 20 minutes. Adjust the steaming time based on the size and thickness of your corn. After 20 minutes, turn off the heat, and let the corn steam in the residual heat with the lid closed for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the inside of the corn to cook through and become even more tender and moist.
Step 5
And there you have it – delicious, chewy steamed sweet corn! Freshly steamed corn is simply divine. If you can’t finish it all at once, let it cool slightly, then store it in a zip-top bag in the freezer. You can easily reheat and enjoy it later, just as delicious as when it was freshly made.
