Monday, July 19, 2010

‘Tis the Season to be Freezin’

Sweet corn that is, not the weather; it’s actually quite hot and humid here. But, it is sweet corn season and my Step-Dad plants about 1/2 an acre of it every year. To get it processed it helps to recruit energetic and enthusiastic teenagers.

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In no time at all they’ll have it stripped down and ready to cook.  (Not really, he had lots of help.)

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The next phase of the project took place in the “summer kitchen”, a.k.a. a turkey roaster in the garage. Waiting for the water to boil was the last chance to sit, after that it was full speed ahead. Cooking the corn for two minutes then an ice water bath for two minutes.

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We made the teenager do all the hauling back and forth from the garage to the kitchen where my Mom and I hand cut it all off the cob. My hand is still cramped.

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Twenty seven quarts today and there’s plenty more where that came from.

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I’m beat and I’m going to bed now. I don’t care if it’s only six o’clock.

christinesig

14 comments:

Michelle said...

What a beautiful and tasty harvest! I've given up on growing good corn here; it needs the hot midwest summers, like tomatoes, but I can't give up on tomatoes.

Tonia said...

Its so pretty!

ErikS said...

I let my co-workers know that I was coming up to get some corn. After the responses I got, I think I may need a truck.

Callie Brady said...

Hard work now, but that corn will tast sooo good this winter.

Karen Anne said...

Is there a brand name on the nifty looking boots in this post:

http://frontporchindiana.blogspot.com/2008/03/you-might-live-in-indiana-if.html

Thanks...

Christine said...

Karen Anne, I don't see a brand name on them but you can find them at Tractor Suppy Co. or usually any other farm store like Rural King or whatever.

Anonymous said...

What a system you have going there, I hate to freeze corn due to the mess and I never have any help. I just read about a family that freezes it in water and butter. Not sure what that is but I use the same method as you do. Linda

Mom L said...

That's a lot of hard work, but I know you'll be grateful in the months to come!!! I'm in an apt., don't like to cook, but I'm surrounded by cornfields! I can look out my windows and watch the corn grow!!!

Nancy in Iowa

Anonymous said...

You just took me back about 35 years to when I was the enthusiastic teenager! We did our cooking, ice bath & cutting off the cob in the basement that was set up with old kitchen appliances. It stayed a lot cooler than the rest of the house and kept the mess out of the kitchen.

Wish I could come raid your freezer in a about 6 months!

Cheryl
Orlando

Taryn said...

Oops, drooled a little. I don't have a field to freeze but at least we have a good farm stand (which is where I am heading now). Love the white and red bowl, too.

Karen Anne said...

I found the Tractor Supply website. I've never seen so many boots in my life :-)

Nancy K. said...

I just love the enthusiastic expression of the teenager! ;-)

If you run out of room in your freezer, I'm sure there is plenty of room in mine!


Enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Sandra Henderson said...

My mom and I canned 800 quarts and froze a freezer full one summer. We were also living in our travel trailer at the time while my dad was building our log cabin. Hurrying to get ready for winter. We put up a screen tent outside and did a lot out there...
Feel any better!??! lol

Wendy said...

Mega years ago, when my family used to do corn, we used an electric knife. Made it much easier, but it splatters a bit, so make sure everything is well covered.