How to Use Baby Corn: 5 Ways to Cook With Baby Corn

Baby corn is an unpollinated, miniature form of mature corn that can be eaten on its own. It comes from regular corn that has been harvested during its early growth stages before the male silks of the corn have pollinated the female ear and formed the kernels. It has a mild, neutral flavor similar to hearts of palm, and a tender texture.

Any variety of corn can yield baby corn if it is harvested early enough before the plant fertilizes itself. Fresh baby corn is hard to find in the United States, as most of the supply comes from Thailand. If you are buying baby corn from the grocery store in North America, it is usually frozen or canned.

Baby corn is harvested when the corn silks emerge from the top of an ear of corn, before the corn has been fertilized. Corn is a self-pollinating plant, containing both male flowers (which are the silken strands forming a tassel at the top of the ear of corn) and female flowers (which is the ear of corn itself).

To make mature corn, the male bundle of silks on the top blows pollen across the female ear of corn, creating the kernels and hardening the interior husk. When you harvest baby corn ears, you are picking the crop before it reaches this stage of pollination, resulting in a soft, immature cornlet. Harvesting baby corn is labor-intensive because each piece needs to be harvested individually by hand, as opposed to mature corn which can be harvested with machinery.

Since baby corn is plucked so early during its development, this vegetable doesn’t have the same nutritional value of a mature ear of corn. However, it can add an interesting texture to dishes or soak up the juices of other delicious flavors. Some common dishes that use baby corn include the following.

1. 1. Stir-fries: Asian stir-fries in America (such as many Americanized versions of Chinese and Thai dishes) often contain baby corn mixed with meats, tofu, bell peppers, and chilies.
2. 2. Salads: Brined baby corn can make an excellent crunchy addition to a summer salad. You can mix the baby corn with field greens, mandarin orange slices, and a tangy, sesame vinaigrette.
3. 3. Soups: Baby corn can also work well in soups, curries, and stews, as its mild flavor and tender is conducive to absorbing many other flavors in a dish.
4. 4. Fritters: Baby corn fritters are simply battered and deep-fried baby corn that can be paired with your favorite dipping sauces.
   

Depending on the dish, there are a number of ways that you can cook with fresh or canned baby corn. If you are cooking with canned baby corn, just make sure to drain and rinse it before you start to cook. Here are five different ways you can prepare baby corn.

1. 1. Sautéed: Toss your pieces of baby corn in a saucepan with some heated oil over medium heat. Stir in your sauces and seasonings of choice, and cook for two to four minutes. Serve as a side dish or include in your favorite stir fry dish.
2. 2. Blanched: To blanch your baby corn, submerge it in a pot of boiling water for 15 seconds. Then, remove the corn and submerge it in a bowl of ice water from a half a minute to a full minute. Blanching the corn helps improve the texture without letting it get mushy.
3. 3. Boiled: Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Carefully add your baby corn, then cover and reduce your heat so that your water is simmering. The baby corn is done when it is tender, but not mushy.
4. 4. Steamed: Place your baby corn inside a steamer basket and place it over the stockpot with a few inches of water inside. Cover and steam anywhere from three to six minutes, aiming for a tender texture that still has a slight core firmness.
5. 5. Roasted: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then place your baby corn on a baking sheet. Coat the corn with oil and seasoning, then place in the oven and roast for 15 to 20 minutes. The corn is ready when there is some light, brown charing along the surface.

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