If your corn isn't as sweet or ripe as you'd hoped, you can still cook it! The best approach is to cook the ears in their husks using high heat to concentrate whatever sweetness remains. Here are two effective methods:
Grilling Unripe Corn
- Prepare the corn: Leave the corn in its husk. There is no need to soak it, as the goal is to quickly cook it to concentrate the sweetness.
- Grill: Place the corn directly on a preheated grill over high heat.
- Cook: Grill for 2-4 minutes per side, until the husks are charred.
- Serve: Remove from the grill, allow to cool slightly, and remove the husks before serving.
Roasting Unripe Corn in the Oven
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C).
- Prepare the corn: Leave the corn in its husk.
- Roast: Place the corn directly on the oven rack.
- Cook: Roast for 35-40 minutes, turning the corn once halfway through cooking.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly, and remove the husks before serving.
Both methods leverage the corn's own husk to steam and intensify its natural sugars, salvaging some flavor from what might otherwise be bland, unripe corn.
