Cucumbers are perfect for a healthy and delicious snack, the problem is that after a few days they tend to go bad and go mushy. To extend the life of this vegetable, wrap the washers with a wet paper towel and place them in the refrigerator. For long-term storage, place the slices in brine and then freeze them. Employ proper storage techniques to make sure the cucumber stays fresh until you need it.
Ingrediants
Freeze the Cucumbers
- 7 small cucumbers
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) of salt
- 1 ½ cup (300 g) of white sugar
- 1 ½ cup (350 ml) of distilled white vinegar
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare Cucumbers for Storage
Step 1. Wash the cucumbers before storing them
Remove the cucumbers from the package, even the vacuum-packed ones. Wash them under running water inside the sink. It is not necessary to use any detergent. In any case, using one will not harm the vegetable at all.
Step 2. Dry the cucumbers thoroughly
Cucumbers must be thoroughly dry before proceeding with storage. Dry them with a paper towel to remove most of the water. Afterward, wrap them with a clean paper towel or tea towel. These materials will absorb the last traces of moisture until it is time to cut the cucumbers.
Cucumbers that are soft to the touch or have dark spots should be used immediately. Cut loose or spoiled parts with a knife
Step 3. Peel the cucumbers for easier storage
Remove the peel using a potato peeler. Completely remove the peel, which is dark green, leaving the flesh exposed, which is a light green instead. It is difficult to prevent the skin from becoming soggy. It is therefore advisable to remove it to facilitate the procedure, unless you prefer to keep the cucumbers with the peel.
Step 4. Cut the cucumbers into slices
Use a sharp knife to cut the cucumber into small sections. Try to get slices about 6mm thick. The dimensions don't have to be exact, so you don't need to measure them perfectly. Make sure they are as small and homogeneous as possible to prevent them from accumulating water.
The quality of cucumbers is best when used right away. However, if you are not going to use them immediately, avoid cutting them. Instead, wrap them in a dry paper towel, put them in a bag, and put them in the fridge
Method 2 of 3: Store Cucumbers in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Moisten a paper towel
Cover the skinless parts with a paper towel, regardless of how you plan to slice the cucumbers. Lightly moisten the napkin with tap water. Avoid soaking it, as excess water causes cucumbers to soften faster. Squeeze the napkin to remove excess liquid.
- Thinly sliced cucumbers are easier to store, but there are other ways to cut them as well. For example, it is possible to keep a cucumber cut only partially, as long as the pulp is kept moist and the skin dry.
- For example, if you cut a cucumber in half, cover the exposed portion with a moistened paper towel. Instead, cover the peel with a dry towel to prevent it from absorbing water.
Step 2. Wrap the cucumber with the paper towel
Place the cucumber bits in the center of the washcloth, then fold the ends of the napkin over the slices to completely cover them. The slight moisture that forms inside the napkin should keep the vegetable fresh, preventing it from becoming soggy.
- If you are concerned that they may absorb too much water, you can wrap the cucumber slices with a dry paper towel instead.
- Water makes cucumbers soggy and spoils them. Consequently, preserve the cut cucumbers by separating them from the whole ones.
Step 3. Wrapped the cucumbers, place them in an open plastic bag
The fruit and vegetable bags you find at the supermarket are great for storing them. Alternatively, you can use airtight plastic bags. To prevent the cucumbers from becoming mushy, leave the bag open to help promote moisture escape.
Step 4. Store the bag in the least cold area of the refrigerator
If your fridge has a specific drawer for fruit and vegetables, take advantage of this to store cucumbers. Alternatively, they can be placed on the front end of a medium shelf. It is best to keep them away from colder areas, which tend to concentrate near the bottom of the refrigerator and freezer.
Some studies show that cucumbers cannot tolerate colder temperatures. A temperature below 10 ° C begins to deteriorate after only 3 days. Check the temperature as much as possible and eat the cucumbers as soon as possible
Step 5. Keep them away from fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene
Cucumbers are sensitive to ethylene. When they come into contact with this substance, they tend to deteriorate earlier. If possible, therefore, avoid storing cucumbers together with the fruits that produce it. If you need to keep them all in the same refrigerator, place them on opposite sides or use containers to reduce exposure to ethylene.
This invisible gas is produced by fruits such as melons, bananas, apples, peaches and pears. Tomatoes also affect the premature spoilage of cucumbers
Step 6. Use the cucumbers within 2 days
Cucumbers don't last long, especially after they are cut. Try to use them within a few days. With proper storage and a bit of luck, they should last up to a week.
Since cucumbers tend to spoil quickly, slice them in smaller quantities before storing. Leave them whole until you need them
Method 3 of 3: Freeze the Cucumbers
Step 1. Put the slices in a bowl
Place the washers horizontally in a large bowl. If possible, spread them out in a single layer. By arranging them in this way, it will be easier to salt them. Also, choose a container that can withstand low freezer temperatures.
Step 2. Sprinkle the cucumbers with salt
Calculate 1 tablespoon (15 g) of salt for 7 cups of washers. If you plan to store fewer cucumbers, reduce the amount of salt. Distribute it evenly with the help of your fingers or a measuring spoon. You could also mix the slices with the salt by hand or using a spoon until they are evenly coated.
- If you are unsure about the amount of salt to use, sprinkle a small amount on each slice. Calculate roughly a pinch per washer.
- While it is possible to freeze cucumbers without salt or other ingredients, consider that they tend to go mushy due to the high water content. However, in this case you can still use them to flavor drinks, soups and smoothies.
Step 3. Store the cucumbers in the refrigerator overnight
Put the bowl in the fridge. At this point, all you have to do is wait, letting the cucumbers rest for up to 24 hours. If you want to make sure they stay crispy, cover the bowl with a tea towel and place a handful of ice on the fabric.
Step 4. Drain the cucumbers
The next day, remove the bowl from the refrigerator and drain the water. Press the cucumbers with one hand or a kitchen utensil to remove excess liquid. Removing the water is essential to keep them crunchy.
Step 5. Mix the cucumbers with sugar and vinegar
Pour the white sugar and distilled white vinegar into the bowl. Mix the ingredients by dissolving the sugar. Leave the cucumbers to soak for a few minutes to help dissolve the sugar completely.
Change the aspect ratio according to your tastes. To make sweet cucumbers, more sugar and less vinegar are generally used. Using more vinegar than sugar allows you to make pickled gherkins instead
Step 6. Store the cucumbers using freezer-specific containers
Take the bowl again and move the cucumbers to an airtight container specially designed for the freezer. Also add the sugar and vinegar liquid, leaving about 6mm of space at the top of the container. Cucumbers can be kept for a full year in the freezer.
Advice
- To keep cucumbers fresh longer, don't slice them until it's time to use them.
- Use mushy cucumbers immediately. Cut loose or spoiled parts and don't store them.
