A follow-up to the 2013 corn experiment: After discovering the caterpillars, we harvested all the ears right away to salvage what we could, and I was worried the corn would be too immature to pop.
We let it dry for a week or so, and tried to pop a few kernels on the stove and in the microwave without success. So we let it dry for another 2 weeks–and this morning it came off the cob pretty easily.
Following the directions here: http://www.recipegirl.com/2011/10/13/how-to-pop-popcorn-on-the-stove/ we tried popping on the stove… thought it would be a dud again, and then–POP!
I’m someone who doesn’t typically like popcorn–ugh, especially the smell when someone makes it in the office microwave at 3pm. But–seasoned with the smug satisfaction of having grown it myself, and a little bit of salt, it tasted pretty good. And if we run out, apparently strawberry popcorn can be purchased by the pound on the internet–thanks Ginny! http://www.popcornpopper.com/jacksred.html