topic Cucumbers in Kitchen

Cucumbers

pattypeep — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 19:45:10 GMT

What can I do to have my cucumbers last longer? I like to eat about 1/4 of one in my salad each day and they get gucky before I finish the whole thing. Anyone have a magic answer? TIA

Re: Cucumbers

Gram W — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 20:07:53 GMT

I don't know how long it will work with cucumbers but I found out by accident that my sliced peppers and celery last alot longer in the Lock & Lock containers. These 3 containers got lost on the bottom shelf of my refrigerator almost a week. They were crisp, looked and tasted good so I used them up immediately. The sliced cucumbers were not in bad shape but I thought it best not to trust them as a few had started to become soft inside the skin.

I had taken sliced vegetables to a family function thus the extras. I usually keep my veggies 3-4 days. If they had all prepared I find I select them for snacks more often. I can quickly grab a few pieces on the run. Add hard boiled eggs, turkey pepperoni, sharp cheese, cherry tomatoes and lettuce for a salad. Quick and easy.

As a widow I don't often take the time to cook a full meal like I did for my husband. I found I have to keep quick healthy foods snacks, especially items that I like in my salads, at my finger tips .

Re: Cucumbers

pattypeep — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 20:24:23 GMT

@Gram W Thank you. I just peeled one today for my salad and thought I'd put what's left in a lock and lock. The one that I have not peeled I popped in a Debbie Myers green bag that I stored away because I remember not being so impressed with them, but thought I'd give them another try. Thank you for your ideas.

Re: Cucumbers

151949 — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 20:26:14 GMT

I use about a half a cuke at a time so I usually only peel as much as I plan to use. They really don't store well.

Re: Cucumbers

Gram W — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 20:33:46 GMT

@pattypeep. I wash the cucumbers well and do not peel them. The peels are good fiber ( supposedly helps fights colon cancer) and at my age I can use that. Once peeled they don't last as long in my refrigerator.

Re: Cucumbers

nana59 — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 23:02:28 GMT

Always put my leftover produce in a Debbie Meyer green box...have always worked for me...been using them for years.

Re: Cucumbers

x Hedge — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 00:46:04 GMT

@pattypeep, since cukes don't store well I'll prep the whole cuke (wash, peel, quarter or slice) and submerge what I'm not using today in cold, salted water.
Don't skip the salt. It alters the Ph to make it less hospitable to bacteria. (You can also drizzle a THIN layer of oil on top of the water as a barrier.)
Cover and refrigerate. Should extend the cukes storage life a few extra days so you can finish it instead of tossing it out.
Make sure hands, knife, cutting board, and storage container are clean.

Re: Cucumbers

x Hedge — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 01:06:32 GMT

@Gram W, @pattypeep, Cucumbers are not on the Dirty Dozen list, and their dark green skins can be left on thin cuke slices and eaten, especially tender young cukes. (Larger pieces of skin, like an unpeeled cuke quarter, may be indigestible and cause gut upset to some.)

But depending on when they're harvested in the season, they may be treated to extend their freshness to market. Cucumbers with waxed skins, or older tough skins should always be peeled before eating.

Re: Cucumbers

OnlyShopsOnline — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 06:46:18 GMT

I buy the long, seedless Canadian cucumbers that are sealed in plastic. They aren't waxed. I cut one in half and slice and eat it with a little ranch dressing. I wrap the other half and it is fine to eat the next day.

Re: Cucumbers

FranandZoe — Sun, 22 Jan 2017 19:03:51 GMT

I use 1/2 to 1/3 at a time - wrap the rest in foil and keep in the crisper. They keep very well that way.

Re: Cucumbers

sunshine45 — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 03:56:23 GMT

i buy middle eastern/persian/small cucumbers......they are great because you can buy a bag or a wrapped package of 5 or 6 and use one at a time. the skins are thin and easily edible and there are virtually no seeds. they are also great for snacking. the rest go into a debbie meyers green bag.

Re: Cucumbers

RespectLife — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 16:29:53 GMT

@pattypeep

I agree w/ Lock and Lock. I am shocked how much longer my peppers, onions and cukes last in L & L.

However, if I have a long seedless cuke...I only cut what I will use and leave the rest wrapped in the shrink wrap.

I then store it in foil! Roll it up nice and seal the ends.

Really lasts long! I also do that w/ my celery. The foil trick really works!

Then I don't have to further expose them to air by cutting them down to fit L & L containers.

Re: Cucumbers

pattypeep — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 00:48:03 GMT

I will answer my own question now that I have done some experiments. Lock and Lock. Although, in full disclosure, I don't have the Lock and Lock brand, but the Hefty ones. I put my cucumbers in as soon as I bring them home from the store and keep them in until I use them all up.