Leaves are optional. You don't need to cut off heads or tails or fins, just gut 'em, clay 'em and onto the coals. Nice "clean" clay is a plus, not swampy muck with off flavors.

Clay is not required for ears of unshucked corn either if you like the caramelized dried corn you get with the shucks burning off similar to what you get from the street vendors in Mexico.

Pat