🌽 43 Pints of Corn
The Free Corn Canning Adventure on a Work Night
🌽 43 pints of corn — because free corn is impossible to resist!
📌 In This Article
🌽 The Free Corn That Changed Everything
"Well someone at work said free corn...so what do I do start shucking removing from cob and jarring..... and now I'm canning 43 pints of corn on a work night because I'm insane there is simply no other explanation!" 😂🌽
It all started with three little words: "Free corn available."
Someone at work mentioned they had too much corn and needed to get rid of it. And my brain, which apparently has no off switch when it comes to free produce, immediately went: "Free corn? Yes. All of it. I'll take all of it."
So I did. I brought home what felt like a mountain of corn. I shucked. I removed from the cob. I jarred. And then — because I clearly have a problem — I started canning 43 pints of corn on a work night. At 10 PM. With the canner hissing away and the kitchen looking like a corn explosion.
Why? Because I'm insane. There is simply no other explanation.
But here's the thing — I also hate food waste. And my food lady at work? She absolutely loves that I take extra produce. She's going to call me all summer whenever they have too much. Good connection, crazy idea, but still worth it.
💬 The best part: "The lady who handles the food is going to call me all summer when they have too much because she loves that I hate food waste...good connection crazy idea still."
📝 The Corn Canning Process
Step 1: Shuck and Clean
Remove all husks and silk from the corn. Rinse thoroughly to remove any dirt or bugs. This is the most time-consuming part — but also strangely satisfying.
Step 2: Remove from Cob
Using a sharp knife, cut the kernels from the cob. Pro tip: stand the cob upright in a bundt pan — the kernels will fall into the pan and the cob stays in the center hole!
Step 3: Hot Pack or Raw Pack?
For corn, I prefer the hot pack method. Bring the corn kernels to a boil in water, then pack hot into sterilized jars. This helps release air and keeps the corn from floating.
Step 4: Pressure Can
Add 1 teaspoon salt per pint (optional). Fill jars with corn, leaving 1 inch headspace. Add boiling water to cover. Wipe rims, apply lids, and process in a pressure canner at 10-11 lbs for 55 minutes for pints (85 minutes for quarts).
Step 5: Cool and Celebrate
Let jars cool 12-24 hours. Check seals. Then admire your 43 pints of golden summer goodness.
💡 Pro Tip: Save the cobs! Use them to make corn cob jelly or add them to soup stock for extra sweetness. Nothing goes to waste!
✨ Why Can Corn Anyway?
Save Money
Free corn + your labor = cheap, delicious corn all year long. Store-bought canned corn can't compete.
Control Ingredients
No preservatives. No added sugar (unless you want it). Just pure, delicious corn in a jar.
Reduce Food Waste
Every jar of corn you can is food that would have been thrown away. That's 43 jars saved from the landfill!
Community Connection
You become the person people call when they have extra food. Build relationships while saving food.
💡 Pro Tips for Bulk Corn Canning
- Enlist help: Canning 43 pints is a team sport. Get family, friends, or anyone who loves free corn to help shuck.
- Work in batches: You don't have to can everything in one night. Corn keeps in the fridge for a few days.
- Prep the night before: Shuck and cut kernels the night before, then can the next day. It breaks up the workload.
- Label everything: Include the date and "Corn — 2024" so you know which batch is which.
- Have fun: Put on music, a podcast, or a movie while you work. It makes the time fly.
🤝 The Connection That Makes It All Worthwhile
One of the best parts of this adventure? The relationship I've built with the food lady at work. She knows I hate food waste and love to can. So now, whenever there's a surplus, she calls me.
All summer long. I'll be getting calls about extra tomatoes, peppers, squash, and who knows what else. And I'll be ready, with jars in hand and a smile on my face.
"Good connection, crazy idea still." — But that's exactly how life should be.
🌙 The Work Night Canning Marathon
Let me paint you a picture:
- 10 PM: Started shucking the last of the corn
- 11 PM: Cutting kernels from 43 cobs
- 12 AM: Jars being sterilized
- 1 AM: First batch in the canner
- 2 AM: Canner hissing away
- 3 AM: Final batch goes in
- 4 AM: Last jars come out — success!
Was I tired the next day? Absolutely. Was it worth it? 100%.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How long does canned corn last?
Properly pressure canned and stored, corn will last 12-18 months in a cool, dark pantry. The flavor is best within the first year.
❓ Do I need a pressure canner for corn?
Yes! Corn is a low-acid vegetable and must be pressure canned. Water bath canning is NOT safe for corn.
❓ How much corn do I need for 43 pints?
About 50-60 ears of corn. It's a lot, but if it's free, it's worth the effort!
❓ Can I freeze corn instead of canning?
Absolutely! Corn freezes beautifully. Blanch for 3-4 minutes, cool in ice water, cut off the cob, and freeze in bags.
❓ What's the best way to use canned corn?
Straight from the jar! Heat it up with butter, add to soups, casseroles, salads, or eat it cold in a corn salad.
❓ Was it really worth staying up until 4 AM?
Every single jar. Every single time. Free corn is always worth the effort!
📄 Printable Corn Canning Guide
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║ CORN CANNING GUIDE ║
║ From Free Corn to 43 Pints! ║
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THE STORY:
"Free corn" → shucking → removing from cob → jarring →
43 pints on a work night = pure madness and pure joy!
HOT PACK METHOD:
1. Shuck and clean corn thoroughly
2. Cut kernels from cob
3. Bring kernels to a boil in water
4. Pack hot into sterilized jars
5. Add 1 tsp salt per pint (optional)
6. Fill with boiling water (1" headspace)
7. Wipe rims, apply lids
8. Pressure can at 10-11 lbs
• Pints: 55 minutes
• Quarts: 85 minutes
9. Cool 12-24 hours
10. Check seals and label
WHY YOU DO IT:
✓ Free food is the best food
✓ Reduce food waste
✓ Build connections
✓ Have corn all winter
✓ Pure satisfaction
THE MOTTO:
"Good connection, crazy idea still."
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© CanningRebels — 43 Pints of Corn | The Free Corn Canning Adventure
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