It's summer and that means I spend about 4 hours a day thinking to myself, "What can I make with corn? I need to eat more corn." Because I am greedy for corn. I feel like I need to eat massive amounts of it while it's in season or winter will be full of tears and regret. Thanks to this Sweet Corn Grilled Cheese recipe from Panini Happy, I now have a new way to use corn: in sandwiches!
Corn in sandwiches is officially my new thing. (Corn on burgers is pretty good too.) Since it's summer and everyone seems to be looking for zucchini recipes, I added some zucchini to this panini (it rhymes!) too. And then I put shredded pepper jack cheese on it, which gives me the perfect excuse to mention this:
I am in love with this thing! I bought it at IKEA back in June. It's a regular box grater, but it has a container to catch whatever it is you're grating. Maybe you all have one of these and I'm just behind the times, but I was deliriously happy to find this. I really like using cheese I shred myself in recipes because I find that it melts a lot better and this makes shredding cheese a whole lot easier. This whole experience has made me reevaluate my feelings on IKEA kitchen tools.
Back to the sandwich! The combination of spicy pepper jack cheese and fresh summer veggies makes these simple sandwiches flavorful and delicious. The thing I love most about cooking during the summer is that everything tastes so good, you can keep recipes simple and they still taste amazing. I mean, I will eat corn straight off the cob, uncooked, without any butter or salt! When can you do that other than summer?
This post was originally published on July 29, 2013.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- 1 ear corn kernels removed
- 1 small zucchini quartered lengthwise and sliced
- Salt + pepper to taste
- 8 slices bread I used a soft sourdough
- 2 tbsp. butter softened
- 1 c. shredded pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for about 15 seconds, until fragrant. Stir in the zucchini and corn and cook until the zucchini is softened (but not mushy!), about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Turn on your panini press and set the temperature to High. Put half of the cheese on 4 slices of bread, then top that with the veggie mixture, remaining cheese, and remaining slices of bread. Butter the tops of the sandwiches with half of the butter. Carefully place the sandwiches on the panini press, buttered side down, then butter the other side of the sandwiches and close the press. (Depending on the size of the bread and your panini press, you may have to do 2 sandwiches at a time.) Cook for 5-7 minutes or until cheese has melted and bread is toasted.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan says
I want ALLLL the corn!! Especially here in the Midwest, corn is everywhere! p.s. Love that box grater thing, game changer.
Kiersten says
I totally want all the corn too. ALL OF IT!!! NOW!!!
Martina says
I love that you're coming up with so many ways to use corn!! I've just been to the farmers market ot stock up on more!
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
I am DYING for a panini press! Your paninis always have me drooling....especially this one! I'm loving anything with zucchini right now. And that box grater that catches the grated stuff is the best invention ever! Totally getting that next time I'm at IKEA.
Kiersten says
Well, if you don't have one, you can use a skillet or grill pan and put something heavy on top of the sandwich! 🙂 That works too!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Oh my goodness, you just made my taste buds and eyes SO happy with this one! This looks and sounds awesome. I can almost taste it through the screen (I wish that I could)! As an Iowan, I think that it is a requirement that I LOVE corn ;). I cannot wait to try this.
Kiersten says
I used to live in Wisconsin and about a block from our apartment were corn fields and corn fields and more corn fields. 🙂
dixya| food, pleasure, and health says
i hear u about feeling greedy about produce in summer - they taste the best now 🙂 cheesyyy panini looks delicious.
Christy@SweetandSavoring says
I love it when the corn is so fresh and sweet that it doesn't need any butter or salt! And summer dinners are so nice lately- easy and quick, almost no cooking required: lots of salads with garden veggies, good bread with my pesto or hummus, etc.
This panini looks delicious, can't wait to try it!
Kiersten says
Yes, that's why I love summer cooking--it's so effortless, but tastes so good!
Marta @ What Should I eat for breakfast today says
And you made something delicious out of it 😀 great work!
Archana @FeedingTheFoodie says
This Panini was made for me !!! I've been wanting to use more corn too, just bought some zucchini and didnt want to go the usual muffin/bread route AND I've been craving a panini!! And I only like peppery cheese in my sandwiches - I'm not just saying this!
btw, , I was checking your blog over the weekend to find new posts, but realized you probably take a break from posting. So glad its monday and I came right here to check whats going on !
Kiersten says
Yeah, I post Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I'm pretty OCD about my posting schedule. 😉
Reba - Not So Perfect Life says
Corn in sandwiches... this sounds amazing. I bet the crunchy texture is awesome 🙂
Caitlin says
this is a great idea! cheesy corn sounds delicious and putting it in a grilled sandwich even better!
Norma says
This looks delicious! I'm definitely going to have to try it. As for the grater, I have bowls from IKEA that came with different grater lids that I love. It's the same concept, but I say, "About time!" for the box grater. 🙂 I also would never give up the garlic press I bought at IKEA. Best ever! I went busted through 3 others from elsewhere before I found it. Hasn't broken yet in 5 plus years!
Kiersten says
REALLY!? I haven't seen those bowls! Well, I think I might have to make another trip to IKEA very soon. 🙂 I think their kitchen tools have improved a lot in recent years. When we first outfitted our kitchen 10+ years ago, we bought everything from IKEA and a lot of it broke within months!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
You are making me re-evaluate my decision to never buy a panini maker! But I'm with you on corn - I like it even better uncooked with no salt or butter!
Kiersten says
You can make it in a skillet too and press the top down with a plate. 🙂 I have done that in a pinch!
Beth says
This sandwich sounds so good! I wish I had a panini maker - I guess I need to go visit Amazon now....
Kiersten says
I have a Griddler--I like it because it's a grill, griddle, and a panini press. 🙂
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I am sooooo with you on the corn! (And on handy box graters that catch everything for you!) I've been making tons of things with corn lately. We have an amazing farm near us that is known for their fabulous sweet corn, and it's kind of a landmark moment each summer when their corn is ready! There aren't enough different ways to make it! I am definitely adding this panini to my list!
Kiersten says
I am ALWAYS looking for new corn recipes. Whenever I see one, I get so excited. 🙂
Ash- foodfashionparty says
Ofcourse you love the grater, it is awesome. The sandwich looks so good, perfect way to add it to sandwich.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Love corn too! Shame on me always bought the can one...I found them pretty convenient and delicious as well.
Kiersten says
Well, you can definitely use canned corn in this too!
Katherine says
Maybe this is a silly question, but what is your preferred way of cooking corn? I usually just boil it but I'm never sure about how long??
Kiersten says
If I'm not making a recipe, I'll just boil it. Bring a big pot of water to a boil, drop in the corn, and boil it for 2 minutes. 2 minutes doesn't sound like much, but it's all fresh sweet corn needs. 🙂
angela @ another bite please says
ahhhh...yes my love for zucchini right now..and well my love for sweet corn never ends...i can not wait to make this...looks perfectly delicious. and the grater from ikea genious...i hate wiping up cheese.
Kiersten says
Yes, my old grater always made such a mess! Even when I was really careful not to make a mess.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This looks AMAZING. I love how thin and crunchy the paninis looks - my kind of sandwich!
Kiersten says
I always use chewy, crusty bread for my paninis and this time I went for a soft bread--that totally did the trick! The crusty breads get toasty, but not thin.
hannah @Tales From The Last Frontier says
This looks awesome! I've never considered using corn on a panini before but it seems like the perfect summer-combo after seeing it here. And seriously, adding zucchini AND pepper jack cheese? This looks just way too super yummy 🙂
Kiersten says
I had never thought of putting corn on a sandwich before this summer either, but I am a convert. 🙂
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
I love a good panini and these look Delish!!!
Maria Tadic says
This sandwich looks so yummy! I've been using corn in quesadillas and it adds such a nice sweet crunch!!!
And I totally don't have one of those box graters, but will soon. I hate chasing my shredded cheese and veggies all over the counter!
Kiersten says
Ooh, corn quesadillas! I will have to do that next. 🙂
BusyWorkingMama says
Yummy! These look delicious!
Holly Waterfall says
Come.To.Mama!! This looks delicious. I such a sucker for cheesy melty sammies, and this is no exception. I'm a fan!
Kiersten says
You can't go wrong with cheesy and melty!
cassie says
Sumner definitely means corn and I love seeing all of the fun corn recipes. This sandwich sounds right up my alley!