Corn is a staple crop all over the world, and many people are familiar with many foodstuffs made from corn. One of the most popular ways to cook corn is to make corn nuts. Here’s how you can make a great snack with some good-quality corn and some simple ingredients.
What are Corn Nuts?
corn nutsCorn has been used for thousands of years as a staple grain in the New World. History has it that the Native Americans taught European settlers how to grow and use corn. Corn grains were usually ground into flour using a grindstone or a mortar and pestle.
Fried corn nuts were derived from parched corn, which is similar to popcorn. Along with preserved foods like pemmican and dried meat, parched corn was a food produced by the Native Americans to sustain themselves during travels or winter, when there’s not enough fresh food to go around. Parched corn were large corn kernels allowed to cook, pop, and dry over a bed of hot coals. Corn nuts are prepared in the same way, only that the kernels are fried instead of roasted.
Ingredients
To make corn nuts, you need the following ingredients:
corn nuts
Corn kernels. The corn kernels used in corn nuts are much larger than feed corn or other varieties, like corn on the cob. You can get corn for corn nuts from any feed store.
Oil. As long as you can deep-fry with the oil, then you can use it to cook corn nuts. It’s best to use corn oil, although you can also use coconut oil or vegetable oil. Avoid using olive oil as much as possible. To add flavor to the finished product, you may also use lard or even bacon grease.
Flavoring. Salt is usually used to flavor corn nuts and prevent them from turning insipid. Another way that you can flavor your corn nuts is to add spices to it like chili, garlic powder, or onion powder.
Steps
Here are the steps you need to make corn nuts:
corn nuts
Corn kernels you’ll get from the feed store are dry, so you need to soak them in water to soften them. Soak the kernels in water for about three days in a cool place, like the refrigerator.
Dry the rehydrated corn kernels with paper towels or tea towels.
Heat some oil in a deep fryer or a pan until you see a blue haze form on top of the oil. You may also want to test the heat of the oil by dropping a dry kernel into the liquid. If bubbles form around the corn kernel, the oil is ready.
Drop a heaping tablespoonful of corn kernels into the oil at a time, to allow the kernels to cook through as quickly as possible. Be careful, because some of the corn kernels may pop.
The corn kernels are cooked once they’re golden brown, and if they rise to the surface of the oil. Check the texture of the kernel; if it is crisp to the bite, then you can flavor and serve it immediately. If you’re cooking a large batch, you need to place the cooked corn nuts in a colander lined with paper towels. Season the cooked kernels with salt.
Corn nuts are great for movies, late-night TV, or if you just want something to snack on. With these tips, you can have a great time cooking and eating your own natural corn nuts, without the preservatives and chemicals that come with store-bought varieties. If you enjoy reading this article, you’ll probably eager to learn how to make stove top popcorn and how to grill corn on the cob.