CHEF NORMAJEAN LONGFIELD OF THE UNILEVER TEST KITCHEN REVEALS HOW TO BUY THE BEST CORN ON THE COB
As great as sweet corn tastes, shopping for it raises an interesting etiquette question: is it OK to peel back the husk before you buy it? The answer is yes. If you want to make sure you’re getting a healthy cob, you’ll need to uncover at least a little bit of it. Most grocery stores have a bin near the corn section for discarded husks. Feel free to use it! With corn, the sooner you eat it after it’s picked, the sweeter it will be. You’ll want to buy corn in season, which varies by region but is generally May through September. Try to get corn grown near you. It is likely to be fresher.
Here’s what to look for:
HUSK
The husk should be a deep shade of green. It’s OK if there are a few yellow spots. A brown husk is a no-no.
SIZE
The cob should be thick and feel heavy. A thin ear could be underdeveloped, which means it won’t be as sweet.
KERNELS
Eat your fresh corn lightly steamed or boiled, right off the cob, or use to make a batch of this zingy Hellmann’s Light Summer-Fresh Corn Salsa. For a more substantial side, this Knorr Savory Corn & Onion Saute will do the trick.
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