Persian Cucumbers A big difference, however, is that Persians come in a greater range of lengths—some shorter, some longer, and sometimes with slightly bumpy skin like a Kirby. Persian cukes have a mild flavor and thin skins.
What is another name for Persian cucumber?
The Persian cucumber has many varieties and is also known as the Beit Alpha, Beit Alfa, Middle Eastern cucumber, Lebanese cucumber and sometimes called mini-cucumber. This cucumber is considered among burpless cucumbers owing to its low level of the compound cucurbitacin.
What is the difference between a Kirby and a cucumber?
Kirby cucumber is a small variety (not more than 6 inches) of cucumber, which is popular for pickling. The flesh of these cucumbers is quite firm, and there are bumps along the entire body of the vegetable. They have a very crunchy consistency and they are very popular for pickling cucumbers.
What cucumber is similar to Persian cucumber?
Persian and English cucumbers can be used interchangeably in any recipe I have ever come across. They are both thin-skinned enough to be served unpeeled, and both are nearly seedless. (Persian cucumbers may have a few seeds).
What type of cucumber is a Kirby?
Kirby cucumbers are small, usually 6 inches long or less, with bumpy skins and firm flesh. They are the most common variety of pickling cucumbers (and are usually recommended in pickle recipes) but we also love them in salads and diced into gazpacho. Super crunchy and mild in flavor.
What is the best tasting cucumber?
The best-tasting cucumbers are those that are slicing cucumbers. English cucumbers don’t have the bitter chemical cucurbitacin that some cucumbers have. They also have higher natural sugar content, making them sweeter. The lack of seeds and thinner skin also English cucumbers more enjoyable to eat.
Why are Persian cucumbers wrapped in plastic?
Plastic wrap serves as an extra layer of protection for cucumbers that have particularly thin skin, like English cucumbers. This snug seal reduces and prevents rehydration and potential damage that can occur during packing and transit, and continues to play an important role even once you get them home.
Are Kirby cucumbers good eating?
Kirby (or Pickling) Cucumbers: Short, oftentimes bumpy, these vary in color from yellow to dark green. They are good to eat raw, but they’re especially ideal for pickling. Persian Cucumbers: Similar to English Cucumbers, these are mild in taste. Sometimes bumpy, and with thin skins, they are ideal for eating raw.
Why are Kirby cucumbers called Kirby?
Kirby Cucumbers is now a generic term for any small cucumber sold for pickling. There actually were actual Kirby Cucumbers, developed by a Norval E. Kirby and first released in 1920.
What is a Persian cucumber?
A Persian cucumber is a small, tender cucumber with a smooth exterior, thin skin, and very few seeds. They’re narrower than regular cucumbers and have a crisp interior and mild flavor, and they tend to be less watery than other cucumbers.
Why do Persian cucumbers get slimy?
Simply put, that slimy white film is a sign of spoilage. When cucumbers become mushy or slimy on the outside, it’s an indicator that they’re starting to go bad — which can happen sooner than later when not stored properly.
What is the season for Kirby cucumbers?
Also a great tasting cucumber, Kirbys have become a popular choice for use in salads and other recipes that call for fresh cucumbers. There are two seasons for Kirby cucumbers at Long & Scott Farms – April & May in the Spring and September through November in the Fall.
Why are Persian cucumbers so good?
They have a high water content, at around 95%, which makes them a great way to stay hydrated, and they also provide a good source of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins C and K, magnesium, potassium and manganese.
Is there another name for Kirby cucumber?
Kirbys are wonderfully crunchy for eating raw, but flavorful enough to be perfect for pickling too. Sometimes, they’re even sold under the name “pickling cucumbers.”
Why are my Kirby cucumbers bitter?
The bitterness in cucumbers is produced by the compound cucurbitacin. Cucurbitacins are normally found in the leaves, stems, and roots of cucumber plants. The cucurbitacins spread from the vegetative parts of the plant into the cucumber fruit when plants are under stress.
Do Kirby cucumbers need a trellis?
Plant seedlings 18 inches apart in full sun. Use a trellis to grow Kirby cucumbers, which will help increase air circulation and reduce the risk of mildew.
What is the sweetest cucumber to grow?
Striped Armenian is one of the sweetest cucumbers. It has small seeds and thin skin. Though it looks like a cucumber, it is actually a melon—a species of Cucumis.
What is the best cucumber to eat raw?
Lemon. Best to pick: This cucumber is best picked when it’s about the size of a tennis ball or tight fist. Like the name suggests, these cucumbers resemble a lemon; rounded with thin, marbled yellow skin. With a light, mild taste and crispy texture, lemon cucumbers are best eaten on their own or sliced in a salad.
What is the easiest cucumber to grow?
17 Best Cucumber Varieties That are Easiest to Grow
- Bush Pickle (Pickling)
- Carolina (Fresh or Pickling Cucumber)
- Straight Eight (Slicing, Pickling)
- Sweet Success (Slicing)
- Marketer (Slicing Cucumber)
- National Pickling (Pickling)
- Dasher II (Slicing Cucumber)
- Fanfare (Space Saver)
How do you store Persian cucumbers so they don’t get slimy?
According to Mendelson, cucumbers keep best in the fridge when they’re individually wrapped in paper towels before going into the zip-top bag. The towels absorb excess moisture (cucumbers have a super high water content), which keeps the bag from getting prematurely slimy and speeding along the rotting process.
Do you eat the peel on Persian cucumbers?
They’re pretty much seedless and their skins are so thin, you never need to bother peeling them. They’re also cute, which I firmly feel is another selling point. A Persian cucumber is never more than five to six inches in length and only about one inch or so in diameter.