Preserving food with salt is a centuries-old practice that has been used to extend the shelf life of food. The two most common methods are to either dry salt the food, such as with CORN, or to PICKLE it in a brine solution. CORN can be preserved with salt by drying it and then storing it in a cool, dry place. Pickling involves submerging the food in a brine solution, which is a mixture of salt and water, and then storing it in an airtight container. Both methods help to prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, thus extending the shelf life of the food.