How to Remove Silk From Corn

Fresh corn on the cob is a favorite with many families.

The smell of barbecue in the air always brings a grilled ear of corn to mind. Getting the corn from the garden to the grill requires shucking the leaves and removing the layer of silk. Plucking at the hair-like silk to remove it takes forever, especially when shucking corn in large quantities. There is a nifty trick to removing the silk quickly and with less aggravation. A few minutes time will have you enjoying the cooking of the corn rather than slaving over the preparations.

Things You'll Need

• Large pan
• Stiff vegetable brush

Instructions

1. Hold the corn in one hand and grab and pull the leaves towards you with the other. Toss the leaves in the trash can.

2. Pull as much of the corn silk off of the cob as possible as you shuck the leaves. Break the end of the stem off and set the corn cobs in a large pan near the kitchen sink.

3. Hold the shucked corn cob in one hand under the water tap. Run cold water over the corn.

4. Grip the corn with one hand and twist the cob with the other. Continue rotating the corn cob under the cold water until the silk is completely removed.

5. Rub the corn with a stiff vegetable brush to remove any remaining pieces of corn silk. Turn off the water tap.

Tips & Warnings

• Refrigerate the corn cobs an hour before shucking and removing the silk. It will make the silk easier to remove.

• Wash hands before and after handling raw corn.

• Do not place uncooked corn near already prepared foods.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Corn

Resources

• CDKitchen: Grilled Corn on the Cob Recipes