Corn and it's Many Uses

CORN COB PROJECTS

I have been dusting off some old archives that have been stored on discs for a long time now.

So many are just timeless and it is good to dust them off now and again and post them up. This one is just such a one so I am going to share it with you here now.

I have no idea where this originally came from. Over the years so many articles get passed from one person to the next.

The chowder recipe is so very tasty and filling, and I love the place mat idea here.

This is not my work so all credit goes to the original author, whomever that may be.

Fresh sweet corn has been a favourite since it was called maze. Native Americans knew the value of this great vegetable, and taught the early American settlers to use every part of it, including the cob! With all of our modern conveniences we take so many things for granted, but remember that families didn't have a Toys 'R Us around the corner and had to make their own crafts and toys. On a cool Saturday afternoon make yourself a big pot of corn chowder and dry the corn cobs for a day of fun with the kids this fall!

First, here is a nice simple recipe for fresh corn chowder.

Fresh Corn Chowder

 Photo Credit Keith Higa

Ingredients:

1 sweet onion, chopped

4 slices bacon, diced

6 ears fresh corn

2 quarts whipping cream or half and half

salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme (optional)

Remove corn kernels from the ears of corn and set aside cobs. Sauté the bacon, onions, and corn in a medium pot until the onions the bacon is crispy. Add the cream. Heat through over medium low heat. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

CORN COBS: After you've removed the corn from the cobs, dry them for 1-2 weeks in a spot that squirrels and other wildlife can't get to them. They'll need good air circulation so they dry

and don't mould..

Corn Cob Placemats

Photo as an example only

Photo Credit Loes van Voorthuijsen

You'll need:

Corn Cob

Corn cob holders

Fabric paints

Fabric-cotton muslin works well

Prepare your fabric-I always like muslin because it's inexpensive and though it needs ironing, it works well for crafts. Cut pieces of the muslin to the size of a placemat. Place down coloured ads from the newspaper (the ink doesn't smear like on the regular paper pages) on your work area. Cut the corn cobs into 2 inch pieces-each person should have one piece. Attach the corn cob holders to each piece.

Put a small amount of paint on a paper plate--each colour should have its own plate. Dip the corn cob into paint on one side--then dab it on a piece of paper towel or rag to get off the excess. Roll it across the placemat until a pattern is created. Allow one colour to dry and add more until its done as you wish. Notes: You should have enough corn cobs that everyone can trade cobs with different colours OR you can rinse and dry the cobs between colours too. Just dry them with a paper towel or rag. Try dipping the ends of the cobs in paint for some neat circles.

MORE PROJECTS: You can use this method to make wrapping paper, pictures, handmade cards, background for signs etc. It's easy, inexpensive and the kids will have a blast!

A Bird Cob Feeder

You will need:

dry corn cobs

peanut butter

birdseed

large nails

string or jute

Push the large nail into the thick end of each cob. Use the back of a wooden spoon, butter knife or spatula to spread the corn cob with a good layer of peanut butter. Place the bird seed in pie plate and roll the peanut butter cob in the seed until it's coated. Tie a string to the head of the nail and hang the cobs from tree branches.