How do you eat your corn on the cob?

[Carolyn Tillie]

I admit it -- I eat my corn-on-the-cob rather obsessively. I bite a bit off both ends, but then I have to work the rows rather systematically -- sometimes two or three rows at a time, but it drives me nuts to see those who bite right in the center and have half-eaten kernels just dangling there, out of order.

When I am getting close to finishing, I have a neat, tight little square of kernels left.

Sick, huh?

[mnebergall]

I'm sort of like an old typewriter. I start at the left side and eat to the right side and then hit the carriage return.

[JumpinJude]

I am a left-to-rightie, as well, but my entire in-law family eat it around-and-around style. They think I am weird. I know they are!

[Squeat Mungry]

I admit it -- I eat my corn-on-the-cob rather obsessively. I bite a bit off both ends, but then I have to work the rows rather systematically -- sometimes two or three rows at a time, but it drives me nuts to see those who bite right in the center and have half-eaten kernels just dangling there, out of order.

When I am getting close to finishing, I have a neat, tight little square of kernels left.

Sick, huh?

Freak!

The most important thing is to eat it in such a way that the butter runs all the way down your arm to your elbow.

Squeat

[GordonCooks]

I enjoy eating the cob as well - quite tasty

[alacarte]

Nibble left to right, and yell *DING!* at the end of each neat typewriter row.

kidding.

As long as it's doused with butter, salt, and a touch of chili powder, it will be consumed one way or another.

[Hest88]

I'm one of those prissy eaters. I usually cut it off the cob so I don't get stuff in between my teeth. I've also been known to twist off and eat the kernels one by one. Yes, every so often I do eat it the normal way, but only when I'm in restaurants and have no choice, or if I'm being particularly lazy at home!

[Carolyn Tillie]

I admit it -- I eat my corn-on-the-cob rather obsessively. I bite a bit off both ends, but then I have to work the rows rather systematically -- sometimes two or three rows at a time, but it drives me nuts to see those who bite right in the center and have half-eaten kernels just dangling there, out of order.

When I am getting close to finishing, I have a neat, tight little square of kernels left.

Sick, huh?

Freak!

The most important thing is to eat it in such a way that the butter runs all the way down your arm to your elbow.

Squeat

Yeah, well, we KNOW I'm a freak -- 'cuz I like my corn NAKED! No salt, no butter -- just the sweet 'lil kernals all on their own, row-by-row...

[Squeat Mungry]

Okay, now you really ARE a freak!

Actually, when I was a kid I used to pick corn in the summer on my Uncle's farm. It was so fresh and sweet we'd just snack on it right there in the field (no butter).

Cheers,

Squeat

[tryska]

3 rows at a time. all the kernel has to come off otherwise it's sloppy, and i also use the carriage return method.

[tanabutler]

Another vote here that you're a freak, Ms. Tillie.

I am a typewriter girl...actually a Royal, if not an Elite typewriter.

I, too, go "ding" at the end of the row.

[JennyUptown]

I was always a fan of the typewriter method, butter and salt (sometimes seasoned salt) and pepper.

However after a lot of dental work, I've been cajoled by my dentist cutting if off the cob. It's not as fun, but it tastes just as good.

Last night post-chop, I sauteed the corn in butter, red pepper flakes, a little salt and a pinch of minced garlic. Soooo good!

[Carolyn Tillie]

Another vote here that you're a freak, Ms. Tillie.

It is part of my charm!

[MsMelkor]

Actually, when I was a kid I used to pick corn in the summer on my Uncle's farm. It was so fresh and sweet we'd just snack on it right there in the field (no butter).

That's how Melkor and I eat most of the corn we grow...it doesn't even make it inside!

[Gifted Gourmet]

it drives me nuts to see those who bite right in the center and have half-eaten kernels just dangling there, out of order.

I know the feeling ... One can surmise a lot about an individual by the way he/she eats corn on the cob .. an entire new field for some wacko psychotherapist ... Out of order kernels' significance? unkempt life, no doubt!

[Mabelline]

Ah loves ma corn...typewriter fashion, as well. But green corn really makes me slaver for green corn tamales.

[bloviatrix]

You know, I've never given much thought to the way I tackle corn. I think I tend to a combo of typewriter method and eating around the cob. To me the best part is wiping up the leftover melted butter which with the cob and sucking on it.

[jsolomon]

Butter dripping off my chin and elbows with a little bit of black pepper please

Oh, and if you're at my family's home, you'll probably just have corn and something to drink for those meals. It's too good and fleeting to not gorge on :)

But, method is top to bottom, left to right.

[Jason Perlow]

I don't like the typewriter fashion. I like rotating the cob and scraping my teeth against the kernels, from left to right effectively ripping them off the cob, and starting from the bottom of the cob.

[slbunge]

I go with the combination of typewriter method and the 'round the horn method. Usually one line from left the right and then around in circles. I'd say that suggests I'm rather disorganized.

How about those little corn cob holder things. Anyone use those?

I usually make a tight left-handed grip around what is left of the stem and the leaves of the husk I have peeled from the ear (we cook the corn in the husk on the grill). My right hand is used only to steady the ear as I dig in. It ain't pretty, I'm sure, but when I have a great ear of corn in my hand, I don't give a damn.

[suzilightning]

Squeat

Yeah, well, we KNOW I'm a freak -- 'cuz I like my corn NAKED! No salt, no butter -- just the sweet 'lil kernals all on their own, row-by-row...

[get in my belly]

i take a bite at one end then ,,,, slowly pull some of the kernals up then in the elusive type wrighter style taught to me by the sholin monks, i slowly pull the kernals up row by row clean cob no fuzzies when im done . and of corse i dip it in a gallon jug of butter and dump a trucker load of salt that would make any city in winter time jelous corn on da cob .... egg sell ent .

[KatieLoeb]

I believe the technical terms for corn on the cob eating techniques are known as:

A ROUNDER - eats around the cob

A CHANNELER - uses the typewriter/carriage return method

I am a wealth of useless factoids...

edited to add: I'm a rounder, myself.

[jmcgrath]

I never thought about it before, but I eat from right to left, typewriter fashion, but moving up on the cob rather than down. Am I the only one who does this?

Jim

[chefboy2160]

Im a rounder cause I love to chase the butter vertically to keep my arms some what clean.Corn is a food of the gods and yes my name is Cob.........