Cucumbers are usually eaten raw, but that doesn't mean they can't be cooked. If you want to renew a dish prepared with the stir fry method or want to try a new vegetable in a recipe, cooked cucumbers are great for enriching and flavoring a dish. You will need some simple cooking utensils, a pinch of salt and a pan or oven for cooking.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Bake the Cucumbers in the Oven
Step 1. Cut a cucumber in half lengthwise using a knife
Perform this procedure on a cutting board to avoid damaging the underlying surface. At the end of the process, you should have 2 long halves, with the pulp and seeds exposed.
Step 2. Use a spoon to remove the seeds from both halves of the cucumber
Take one half, then scoop out all the pulp and seeds with the help of the spoon until it is completely hollowed out. Repeat with the other half.
If the cucumber is seedless, skip this step as well
Step 3. Cut the halves into strips using the knife
Each strip should be approximately 1cm wide. Once the strips are obtained, cut them once more to make them about 5 cm long.
Step 4. Put the strips in a large bowl and sprinkle 1 ½ teaspoon of salt
Mix the strips and salt with a spoon. The salt prevents them from remaining excessively watery. Let them rest for 30 minutes.
You can add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of wine vinegar and a pinch of sugar to flavor the strips even more
Step 5. Put the strips in a colander and rinse them under running cold water
Let them drain completely. Blot each individual strip using a paper towel.
Step 6. Spread the strips on a baking sheet and season
You can also place other vegetables on the pan, such as scallions, to cook with the cucumber.
Step 7. Bake the strips at 190 ° C for one hour
Avoid covering the pan and stir them every 20 minutes. After an hour, take them out of the oven using an oven mitt. Move them onto a plate with the help of a spatula.
Method 2 of 3: Fry the Cucumbers
Step 1. Cut a cucumber in half lengthwise using a knife
Perform this procedure on a cutting board to protect the countertop or table from possible scratches.
Step 2. Remove the seeds from both halves of the cucumber with a spoon
Drag the spoon from one end of the cucumber to the other to collect all the seeds and pulp during the procedure. You should get 2 halves completely hollowed out.
If you have a seedless cucumber, skip this step
Step 3. Lay one half of the cucumber on its side and cut it into slices about 6mm thick
Make sure they aren't thinner than this, or they may wilt during cooking. Each slice should resemble a small C. Repeat with the other half.
Step 4. Mix the washers with 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt in a large bowl
Mix the cucumber slices and salt with a spoon for a minute or until coated.
Step 5. Let the cucumber rest in the bowl for 30 minutes
The salt will thus be able to absorb excess water from inside the washers, improving their consistency and making them less watery.
Step 6. Place the washers in a colander, rinse them with cold water and let them dry
While the water is draining, pat the surface of the slices with a paper towel to dry them. In view of frying, the cucumber should not contain excess water.
Step 7. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cooking oil into a pan
Set the flame to high and let it heat up. It should start to emit a wisp of smoke.
Step 8. Cook the washers in the pan
Stir them constantly with a spoon, calculating a cooking duration of about 3 or 4 minutes. They will be ready once they become shiny on the surface. At this point, transfer them to a plate and turn off the gas.
Method 3 of 3: Try Different Cucumber Recipes
Step 1. To prepare a delicious dish with the stir fry method, mix the fried cucumbers with garlic and spicy pork
Cook some ground pork in a wok and add some chili flakes to spice it up. In a separate wok, fry the cucumber slices with garlic. Add the mince to the wok you cooked the cucumber and garlic in, then mix well. Serve on a bed of rice.
Step 2. Make a creamy, tangy sauce for dipping fried cucumbers
To make it, mix 1 cup (250 ml) of sour cream, 2 pressed garlic cloves, ¼ yellow onion and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of milk. Add lemon juice, chives, parsley, tarragon, salt and pepper to taste. Keep the sauce in the fridge until it's time to serve it.
Step 3. Season the cucumber strips with salt and vinegar, then bake them
Before putting them in the oven, mix them in a bowl with olive oil, vinegar and salt. Cook them at 80 ° C for 3 to 4 hours.
Step 4. Add whipped cream to the baked cucumbers to make them creamy
Boil 1 cup (250 ml) of whipped cream. Pour the boiled whipped cream over the baked cucumbers. Season with salt, pepper and parsley.
