I seem to be on a kick of how to reuse everything from my garden from leek leaves to raspberry seeds. So, now we move onto corn cobs. Remember, I taught you the easy peazy way to take corn off the cob? Well, what can you do with those cobs? In my case, there were 50 corn cobs. (Yes, they stuck all over my freezer.) You haven’t lived until you tasted corn cob stock. I am not fooling.
I have a sentimental attachment to everything that I grow. I can’t simply throw any part of the plants into the compost until I have used it in some way–leaves, roots, stems, etc.
Take corn for example.
- The husks are great for making tamales or wrapping fish. You use the husks to surround the food similar to cooking in parchment paper.
- The corn silk have medicinal value. According to the Naturopathy Digest,
“It functions as a diuretic and helps reduce the incidence of swelling and edema. Corn silk is believed to exert a positive influence on the kidneys and urinary system, helping to prevent the formation of kidney stones and stones in the urinary tract. In addition, corn silk can help lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, and help promote blood clotting. Corn silk also has mild antiseptic properties, making it effective in the treatment of minor wounds and infections.”
Only use silks from organic corn. (You can buy organically grown corn silks from my store, Anna Lee Herbs–harvested and shucked by me!)
In addition, be sure to seek the advice of a medical or holistic practitioner when using any herbal product.
- And finally, those darn corn cobs. Don’t throw them away. Keep reading how to make delicious stock.
How to Make Corn Cob Stock:
If you don’t grow a bazillion corn stalks like me, then just store your cobs in the freezer in a bag. Don’t let them get out of control like I did. When you get about 5 corn cobs, you can make stock.
I can be quite lazy and would wait to amass maybe 20 so I can use my stock pot.
Watch my video how to make corn cob stock.
Instructions:
- Add corn cobs to a stock pot.
- Cover with water
- Bring to a boil and then simmer for an hour.
Alternatively, you can use a crockpot and leave for 8 hours on low.
If you want to add some ingredients to the stock, then consider adding garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and/or onions to the pot if you wish. I like the stock plain and consequently don’t add anything but the cobs to the stockpot.
I can’t wait until you smell the corn cob stock aroma. Use the stock in any recipe. I love adding the stock to chili.
However, if you store your cobs like I do or grow your own, you will probably end up with more stock than you can use at the moment. I pressure canned mine just like I can chicken stock. (I use this pressure canner.) Alternatively, you can refrigerate or freeze the stock.
If you freeze the stock, be sure to allow room for expansion. I never add more stock above the “shoulders” of a tomato sauce jar. I have learned the hard way with broken glass in my freezer!
Join the Conversation:
What do you do with your corn cobs?
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Lindsey Dietz says
Here is something I never would have thought of, and I’ve never heard of it! Thanks for this creative use of corn cobs! Mine usually go in the compost — although we don’t eat much corn. 😉
Anna@Green Talk says
I ended up giving my cobs to a chicken farmer since they never compost well. Anna
Ritta says
Woow what a great idea!
linda spiker says
Nice. I love avoiding waste! Pinning to my waste not, want not board!
Anna@Green Talk says
Linda, I think I am taking up real estate on your my waste not board at this point. Anna
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Wow! Very cool! I would never have thought about that.
Anna@Green Talk says
Emily, it tastes so yummy. Anna
MICHELLE says
Awesome! We grow our own corn. Love being able to use everything possible. Fantastic post. Thank you for sharing your methods.
Anna@Green Talk says
Michelle, then you get why I can’t part with whatever I grow. 🙂 Anna
Jolene @ Yummy Inspirations says
What a genius idea! I can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks. 🙂
karen says
You would save the cobs to be used for something. You’re my hero.
Anna@Green Talk says
Karen, wait to a few posts later. I will tell you what I did with the cobs. They don’t compost well so I had to get rid of them…Anna
Betsy (Eco-novice) says
I love your no waste philosophy! You should definitely be making tamales with all those corn husks. Or corn husk dolls — we make those at our local children’s museum and my kids love them.
Anna@Green Talk says
I haven’t made tamale with them yet. I should but the husks aren’t very big. Anna
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
I would have never thought to use the cobs Anna. I make chili all the time- what an interesting addition! Thanks.
Anna@Green Talk says
Lori, the stock really adds to the dish. Anna
G H Grappone says
My great-aunt Tennesee (her real first name), a nurse missionary in Chile for many years, believed in the corn silk tea and taught my mother how to use it. Wished I knew her other many remedies. Some folks called her the witch doctor because she had so many potions!
Her husband was a minister and worked with the native women in a clinic teaching them about child care and natural remedies. GG
Anna@Green Talk says
GH, your great aunt sounds amazing. I have heard about corn silk tea. This is the reason I sell my corn silks. Anna
Sean Wells says
Wow – i never thought of using the husks and the corn cobs in such a way! They always go into the compost heap. Since we are indeed growing our own corn – this post can be very useful to my wife. She’s always looking for a way to throw away as less as possible – blame it on her husband who bought the waste management mindset from his work as a manager in a rubbish removal company. 🙂
I help her of course – and I’m sure she’ll be happy to try out your suggestions – I’ll help her out even.
Thanks for the great content and the video – very informational!
Cheers!