Canning, Freezing, Dehydrating and Fermenting Cucumbers
- Cucumber Salsa. What is this?
- Cucumber Relish. If it’s not salsa, it must be a relish.
- Cucumber Mint Jam.
- Cucumber Infused Vinegar.
- Cucumber Infused Vodka, Brandy or Gin.
- Cucumber Kombucha.
- Freezing Cucumbers.
- Cucumber Sorbet.
What to do with extra pickling cucumbers?
What to make with cucumbers
- Half Sour Fermented Pickles.
- Redbud and Cucumber Sandwiches.
- Cucumber and Onion Salad.
- Cucumber Lime Smoothie.
- Watermelon, Orange and Cucumber Aqua Fresca.
- Cucumber Cilantro Salad.
- Shrimp Salad Bites.
- Cucumber Mint Jam.
What are pickling cucumbers good for?
Pickling cucumbers are typically shorter than slicing cucumbers. Their flesh and skin also tend to be thicker and crispier that slicing varieties as well. This combination of unique traits makes them absolutely perfect for the pickling process.
What are some things you can do with cucumbers?
Here are a few recipes to help incorporate cucumbers into your diet:
- Baked Cucumber Chips.
- Quick Pickled Cucumbers.
- Thai Cucumber Salad.
- Strawberry, Lime, Cucumber and Mint-Infused Water.
- Cucumber and Mint Sorbet.
- Cucumber Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese.
Can you use pickling cucumbers like regular cucumbers?
All varieties of cucumbers can theoretically be used as salad cucumbers, also known as slicing cucumbers, or as pickling cucumbers. However, some varieties are much better suited for one type of preparation than the other.
Can you just eat pickling cucumbers?
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.
Can you freeze cucumbers for later use?
With proper prep, cucumbers should keep in the freezer for up to nine months. Weinstein recommends slicing them (peeled or unpeeled––your choice), arranging the slices in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freezing them uncovered.
When should I pick my pickling cucumbers?
Start harvesting pickler cucumbers when they are 2 to 3 inches long, and don’t let the fruit grow to more than 4 or 5 inches long.
- Picking cucumbers make for teriffic eating straight out of the garden or chilled in a salad.
- Dwarf pickling cucumbers do well and look good in containers.
Are pickling cucumbers the same as mini cucumbers?
Gardeners who desire a mini-cucumber for pickling should plant pickling cucumbers, then harvest them when they have reached the desired size. The main difference between pickling and regular cucumbers is in the skin. Pickling cucumbers have thinner skin than that of standard cukes, and it tends to be less bitter.
What size should you pick pickling cucumbers?
Pickling Cucumbers
Most varieties make crispy, firm dill pickles when picked at approximately four inches in length (Figure 1). If they grow to the five-to-six-inch range before they are harvested, they may be used fresh for slicing, as long as the seeds haven’t begun to harden.
What can I do with too many large cucumbers?
What To Do With Overgrown Cucumbers
- Make cucumber juice.
- Make cucumber salad. There are many ways to make cucumber salad, and here are just a few examples:
- Make cucumber salsa.
- Make cucumber-infused water.
- Add them to a smoothie.
- Make a cucumber relish.
- Make cucumber soup.
- Pickle them!
Can you cook cucumbers like zucchini?
Sliced cucumbers will have similar cook times to summer squash like zucchini, just a few minutes until tender and the desired level of char is achieved—if you’re going for that look and slightly smoky flavor.
Can I use cucumber instead of zucchini in bread?
Cucumbers are very different from zucchinis and don’t work for baking because the dish might end up too watery or even taste stale. They are more useful in salad and raw dishes. So, if you are making a salad that needs raw zucchini, you could replace them with raw cucumbers.
Do you have to use pickling cucumbers to make pickles?
Pickling cucumbers are ideal because they are small and firm so they give that great pickle crunch. You can pickle any kind of cucumber, but because of the moisture content in slicing and English cucumbers, they will be more mushy but they will still taste great.
Are pickles cucumbers the same?
Pickles are Cucumbers
Cucumbers grow on vines or on a cucumber bush. They like hot temperatures and a lot of water! Kirby or Persian cucumbers are often used for pickling. After they are picked they are washed and then soaked in a pickling solution often made with water, salt, spices and vinegar.
Do you have to use pickling cucumbers?
Pretty much any type of cucumber can be used for pickling, but true “pickling” cucumbers are different than heirlooms, slicers, or Japanese cukes.
Are pickles healthier than cucumbers?
Generally speaking, cucumbers are considered healthier in comparison to pickles because they’re naturally low in sugar and sodium.
Which cucumber is best for weight loss?
A medium-sized cucumber has only 24 calories, which makes it a very low-density food. Making such foods part of your diet is beneficial for weight loss because they fill you up at less number of calories.
How do you pickle cucumbers long term?
Instructions
- Wash and drain cucumbers.
- Fill up the jars with the cucumbers and add garlic cloves, black peppercorns, 1/4 teaspoon of dried dill, and slices of horseradish in between.
- In a big pot, bring vinegar to a boil together with salt and sugar.
- Pour the liquid over the cucumbers to fill the jars.
Do frozen cucumbers get mushy?
Cucumbers are about 95% water, so freezing and thawing will affect their cell structure, resulting in a mushy texture. But there are many recipes where that texture will work to your advantage. Frozen cucumbers can be made into soups, dips, or smoothies, since a mushy texture won’t make or break these dishes.
How do you preserve cucumbers for winter?
Freezing cucumbers is the best way to preserve and enjoy them all year round. It’s advisable to freeze cucumber slices rather than fresh cucumbers; whole cucumbers become soggy and lose their flavor once you defrost them. Cucumbers can last in the freezer for six to nine months if you prepare them properly.