how to boil sweet corn

To boil sweet corn, follow these steps:

1. Fill a large pot with water, about 5-6 inches deep, and bring it to a rolling boil on medium-high heat.
2. While waiting for the water to boil, shuck the corn by removing the outer green leaves and silk threads. Rinse the corn to clean any debris.
3. When the water is boiling, add a generous sprinkle of salt (around 1/2 to 1 tablespoon).
4. Use tongs to carefully lower 3-4 ears of corn into the boiling water at a time, without overcrowding.
5. Boil the corn for 2-4 minutes, turning as needed so all sides are cooked evenly.
6. Remove with tongs and serve immediately with desired toppings like butter, salt, pepper, cheese, chili powder, or lime.

Alternatively, a method to retain sweetness is to boil the water, add the corn, cover the pot, and then turn off the heat, letting the corn sit in the hot water for 10 to 30 minutes before serving. Boiled corn can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container if there are leftovers.