How to Freeze Corn in Freezer Bags

Enjoy corn year round by freezing it in freezer bags.

Fresh sweet corn makes a delicious side dish in the summer time, but if you want to enjoy that same taste in the winter, you'll have to preserve the corn. You can do this by freezing your corn in freezer bags. Freezer bags are thicker than traditional zipper sandwich bags, which helps prevent frost on your corn. Frost can affect the taste. Get the whole family involved in freezing corn for winter-even young children can help to shuck corn.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Large bowl
• Water
• Ice
• Corn on the cob
• Sharp knife
• Shallow baking pan
• Zippered freezer bags

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water. Ensure the pot is large enough that you can completely submerge the ears of corn. Bring the water to a boil while you shuck the corn. Take care to remove the silk as well.

2. Blanch the corn in the boiling water for four to six minutes. If your corn is sweet, aim for just four minutes. This process destroys the enzymes in the corn that cause it to turn brown. Prepare a bowl of ice water as the corn blanches.

3. Place the corn into the ice water. This will instantly cool the corn and stop it from cooking.

4. Cut the kernels off of the cob. Use a sharp knife to cut off a small piece of the small end. Stand the corn on this end inside a shallow baking pan. Trim the kernels from the cob with your knife. Some people prefer to use an electric knife for this task or a special corn cutting tool, which is a circular knife that fits around the ear.

5. Place the corn in zippered freezer bags. Put enough corn in the bag for a family meal. Seal the bag using the zipper. Write the date on the bag so that you know when you preserved it. When you cook it, you'll be able to eat the oldest batches first. Put the corn in coldest part of the freezer. Move it to a different part of the freezer after a couple of hours, if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also freeze the corn directly on the cob, but the result is a bit mushy when you heat it up again.

References

• Pick Your Own: How to Freeze Your Corn
• Vegetable Gardener: How to Freeze Corn