Growing Babycorns

GROW YOUR OWN BABY CORNS

Baby corn is a small cereal of wonder , tastes heavenly as well as comes with loads of nutrition. Baby corns are wholesome and are a versatile food which can blend with various spices, herbs and nuts. Baby corn comes out delicious and tasty in any dish you try from any cuisine.Baby literally is immature corn that is harvested before it is fully grown. If you grow corn in your home garden, then you might want to harvest fresh "baby" corn ears this summer by following the simple steps!

Few Varieties Of Baby Corns

Some corn varieties are suited for baby corn harvest; these varieties never gain more than six feet in stature. Try ‘Little Indian’, ‘Baby’, ‘Golden Midget’ (butter yellow kernels), ‘Glacier’ (white kernels), ‘Miniature Hybrid’, ‘Baby Asian’, ‘Baby Blue’ (blue kernels), Bo Peep (‘pink kernels’), and ‘Strawberry Popcorn'.

Sowing And Planting

• Prepare a large seed tray or a long trough with 6 to 12 inches of rich potting soil mixed with organic compost. Ensure that the tray or trough has drainage holes along the bottom.
• Plant the corn seeds 8 to 9 inches apart in two or three rows spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. Place two or three seeds in 2-inch deep planting holes Thin out the seedlings after they emerge, leaving just one seedling in each spot. Set out plants after all risk of frost and when air temperatures are improving - approximately late May on wards.
• If temperatures are still low, continue to grow on under protection.
• Prepare the soil by digging in plenty of organic matter such as well rotted manure or garden compost. When finished, rake over the bed until the top couple of inches turn to a fine tilth.Choose a site which receives plenty of sunshine.Mulch the soil with good amount of fertilizer.Plant the seedlings out in 6-15 cm apart in rows.
• For good pollination baby corn needs to be planted in blocks rather than a single row or two. Maintain soil temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees F. 
• Water the seedlings thereafter once every three or four days to keep the soil from drying out.
• Feed the baby corn plants when they're about 1 to 1-½ feet tall with Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium fertilizer.

Harvesting And Storage

• Silking of corn ears occurs over a 2 to 4 week period on each plant.
• Pick baby corn 1 or 2 days after the silks emerge. 
• The ideal ear will be 2 to 4 inches long and about ½ inches in diameter. Harvest baby corn every 2 to 3 days during that time.
• Refrigerate baby corn, with husks on, immediately after harvest if you don't use it right away.  Baby corn will keep in a loose plastic bag in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days, but is best served fresh. 
• Baby corn can be pickled or canned, or blanched and frozen.

Few Health Benefits Of Baby Corns

• Carotenoids- Baby corn contains substances called carotenoids, such as zeaxanthin and lutein. promoting eye health.
• Fiber- Dietary fiber found in baby corn is considered a type of carbohydrate. A typical serving of baby corn contributes about 2 g of dietary fiber. fiber has the ability to absorb water to bulk up stools. This speeds the transit time of waste through your intestines.
• Vitamin C- Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient found in baby corn. Vitamin C benefits your health in various ways, including strengthening blood vessels, assisting in iron absorption and speeding the healing process of wounds.
• Sodium- Baby corns are natural sources of the mineral sodium. A small amount of sodium is needed to help regulate your body’s fluid balance.
• B Vitamins- Baby corn is good source of a B vitamin called folate, or folic acid. Folate is used by the body to break down and synthesize amino acids from proteins. This process is necessary to build new cells, especially red blood cells.

Baby Corn Fry Recipe

Ingredients

• Baby corn - 6
• Corn flour - 2 tbsp
• All purpose flour - 2 tbsp
• Baking pwd - a pinch
• Ajinomoto - a pinch
• Pepper pwd - 1 tsp
• Red chilly pwd - 1 tsp
• Ginger garlic paste - ½ tbsp
• Oil to fry
• Salt to taste

Directions

• Chop baby corn to small pieces.
• Taka a bowl and mix corn flour, all purpose flour, baking pwd, ajinomoto, salt, red chilly pwd, ginger garlic paste and pepper pwd.
• Add little water to make a smooth thick batter.
• Heat oil in a frying pan.
• Dip the baby corn pieces in the batter and fry in hot oil.
• Turn the flame to medium and fry to crispy n golden.
• Fried baby corn is ready to give a taste.
• Serve hot with tomato or chilli sauce.