Seafood Corn Chowder

Name: Seafood Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 3 corn cobs (stripped of kernels); 1 onion (quartered); 1/4 cup parsley leaves; 1 teaspoon black peppercorns; 8 cups water; 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil; 1 onion (chopped); 2 cups red bell peppers (chopped); 1-2 pounds small potatoes (red potatoes or yukon, cut into bite-size pieces); 1 teaspoon ground fennel seed (or chopped fresh fennel bulb); 1 teaspoon Old bay seasoning (or a spicy chile powder); 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 5 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme); 2 pounds cod (or any whitefish); 2 cups corn kernels (from the stripped cobs); 2/3 cups heavy cream (or half and half); 3 strips bacon (optional)