Indiana Farmers Market: 5 Pro Tips for Perfectly Preparing Corn

It is officially Farmer's Market season, and that means fresh fruits and veggies are in their prime. But do you know the best ways to prepare your market crops?

Well, of course, there is more than just corn here in our Hoosier state. But do you remember when that was the hook for the Indiana Beach commercials?

Indiana really does have a lot of farmers growing delicious sweet corn. I remember begging my mom to let me detassel corn to make some money. She said that I wouldn't make it through one day, and looking back, she was right. It's tough work in the heat. Once that yummy corn gets to the farmer's market it doesn't last long.

Pick Out Fresh Corn: Look for ears of corn with bright green husks, tightly packed kernels, and moist silk. The husk should be slightly damp and not dried out.

Shuck it properly: Remove the outer husks and silky threads, making sure to remove all the silk. This is very tricky for me, so I have a little hack to share with you.

You can microwave the corn right there in the husk for 4 minutes. Then cut one end off of the cob, and it slides right out. Be careful though, because it will be steamy.

Corn Off the Cob: My husband cannot stand the sound or sight of someone eating corn on the cob. But trying to scrape it off of the cob is messy.

After you have microwaved your corn and removed the husk, there's a really neat way to get the corn off of the cob. You'll need a bundt cake pan. Put the ear of corn in the center of the pan and scrape the corn. It will all fall neatly into the cake pan.

Corn on the Grill: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Peel back the husks, but keep them attached at the base, and remove the silk. Brush the corn with a bit of olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and place them on the grill. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the kernels are tender and slightly charred. You might think that you have burned them, but the char is ok.

More than Butter: I don't usually get very adventurous with food, so salt, pepper, and butter work for me on corn on the cob. But I suppose corn is like popcorn, and can be seasoned in a bunch of different ways. Some popular options include grated cheese (like Parmesan or Cotija), lime juice, chili powder, fresh herbs (such as cilantro or basil), dressing or hot sauce, or a combination of these.