Sweetcorn

[debster]

is it correct that they are sweetest if picked early in the morning as the plant during the day converts the sugars to starch ?

[debster]

[Robert_Brenchley]

Same here. They never recovered from the floods.

[real food]

My sweetcorn in Glasgow is coming along nicely, though could be a couple of weeks later than usual. For more Northern locations, a quick maturing variety such as Swift, is best.
I am sure that the sweetness of cobs has nothing to do with when it is picked during the day. What is really important is that it is cooked as soon as possible after picking.
I am amazed how early some people are sowing their corn. I do not sow until April, so that they do not have to suffer too many cold winds.

[valmarg]

is it correct that they are sweetest if picked early in the morning as the plant during the day converts the sugars to starch ?

Not entirely true, to my understanding.

When picking sweetcorn, you should have the pan of boiling salted water ready for when you have  harvested the cobs.

Pick the cobs, strip off outer husks, and boil for a few minutes.  Dredge with melted butter, and season with freshly ground black pepper.

Yummmy, slurp.

valmarg

[Barnowl]

I thought salt in the water made peas beans etc tougher - is that not true for sweetcorn?

[tim]

Speed is my priority, too.  But others I know put them in the freezer, leave them a year, & then say how good they are!!

[cornykev]

I never put them in salt water but then I hardly ever use salt, the sugar is meant to turn to starch as soon as you pick them, thats why people have the pan boiling ready, I put mine in the microwave, 20 Min's from the plant to mouth just remembered I have one in the fridge so I'm going to cook and smother in butter now.  :P :P :P ;D ;D ;D :P :-*

[valmarg]

I thought salt in the water made peas beans etc tougher - is that not true for sweetcorn?

Not in my experience.  Always use slightly  salted water for cooking veg.  It was what granny taught me.

valmarg

[real food]

I do not use salt either, as I think it takes away from the sweetness.
When the sweetcorn is semi-cooked for the freezer, this stops the clock for any reduction in the sweetness. When you take the cob out of the freezer and cook it, the sweetness is still there to enjoy.

[cornykev]

I was transplanting some beetroot yesterday when I heard a rusterling and when I looked there was a rat stripping a cob like nobodys buisness, barstard threw me hand fork at it, lousy shot though, I put some netting around it but shouldn't have bothered because the buggers can get in anywhere.  >:( >:( >:( :'(

[theothermarg]

I was transplanting some beetroot yesterday when I heard a rusterling and when I looked there was a rat stripping a cob like nobodys buisness, barstard threw me hand fork at it, lousy shot though, I put some netting around it but shouldn't have bothered because the buggers can get in anywhere.  >:( >:( >:( :'(

maybe you should try cut up bottles too it really is working perhaps rats are my anon nibblers
marg

[cornykev]

I'm on my way now to give it a go.  ;D ;D ;D

[cornykev]

Bottles are on Marg, even if you have some disbelievers it seems to work for you so good luck girl, the rat has gorged on five cobs now so what have I got to lose, picked a couple of cobs while I was over there, I am eating one as I speak, got to go the butter's dripping all over the keyboard.  :P ;D ;D ;D :P

[debster]

had my first corn tonight sadly had to share it with hubby and parrot but it was gorgeous just steamed and eaten as it was yum yum

[green sleeves]

 ;D
We picked our first 4 cobs , boiled with no salt and covered with butter. Sweet and tastey but last  few rows were white so will leave it  for another few weeks to fatten up , Interested in the fact  that there were different varieties developing better  in different parts of the country. Can any one advise  what suites more northern climes where the temp is  a few deg lower than Mid and South England.
???