Help! Too many cucumbers!
I can only eat so many salads, soups, pickles, and relishes. Besides tossing the excess to my hens, or selling the things on eBay, what can I do with them?
37 Comments
Karen C.May 14, 2019
I peel, core, and slice them lengthwise and freeze flat. I use them for smoothies all year long, by freezing them it makes my smoothies cold without adding ice.
Also when I have too many tomatos I scold them to get the skin off, cube and freeze them and give some of them to my ducks throughout the winter.
Has any tried dehydrating cucumbers?
If you can do watermelon would it work for cucumbers?
Also when I have too many tomatos I scold them to get the skin off, cube and freeze them and give some of them to my ducks throughout the winter.
Has any tried dehydrating cucumbers?
If you can do watermelon would it work for cucumbers?
NancyMay 14, 2019
On dehydrating.
Surprised it works on watermelons, but if yes probably would on cucumbers as they are members of same botanical family.
Surprised it works on watermelons, but if yes probably would on cucumbers as they are members of same botanical family.
MMHAugust 2, 2016
We just had the same problem plus we were going on vacation and right now I'm sitting on the beach writing this. The day before we left we made 4-5 varieties of refrigerator pickles - most of our recipes from food52. We used 1/2 gallon jars. When we get back we are having a test testing with our neighbors!
chefrockyrdAugust 1, 2016
We have the same problem with an over load of things from our garden too. After leaving them on the door steps of neighbors and friends, we head to town. We live in a rural area.
I look for cars with open windows, its common here to leave the keys in them too! And I leave a gift of zucchini or cucumbers on the seat. Crazy I know, but I am not the only one who does this.
I look for cars with open windows, its common here to leave the keys in them too! And I leave a gift of zucchini or cucumbers on the seat. Crazy I know, but I am not the only one who does this.
My F.July 29, 2016
Freeze them! Make pureed/grated base for your favorite soups and dips so you can have a little taste of summer in February. Make sure to get all of the air out so it doesn't get freezer burn and defrost slowly (in fridge overnight).
SusanJuly 29, 2016
What great suggestions everyone! Thanks! I was especially intrigued by cucumber kimchi and immediately threw together a batch, along with other fermenting concoctions (Russian - aka 'hacker' - dills, and brined sweet chips). My kitchen counter looks like an apothecary's lab. Next up will be freezer pickles. I've also been experimenting with a wider range of salads. I had to laugh at the giveaway advice. In my neighborhood (rural) that would be about as successful as hauling coals to Newcastle. We're all in the same fix! My hens do love their share, and yep, 'repurposing' to the compost is never an issue. It's simply the gardener's way of paying it forward. So thanks again, ya'll came through big time!
NancyJuly 29, 2016
Ironic that an idea so many of us thought was useful (donating to food bank or the like) was totally useless in your neighborhood ;)
So, once again we see the value of many voices, many suggestions...
So, once again we see the value of many voices, many suggestions...
Karen C.May 14, 2019
Nancy - I think the previous poster was talking about leaving food in an open car. I didn't see any post previous to yours about food banks, though it is a great idea.
My neighborhood is also not too open to leaving things in cars or on doorsteps.
My neighborhood is also not too open to leaving things in cars or on doorsteps.
mainecook61July 29, 2016
When cucumbers start really producing (or green beans or zucchini, etc.) there really is no answer except for 1) donation or 2) the compost heap. One can eat only so many cucumbers. I never feel guilty about option 2, as you are just returning that organic matter to your soil. Do consider staggering your plantings. Once that first planting is getting tired, it's nice to have a fresh planting to carry you into fall.
jakestavisJuly 28, 2016
two additional ideas
http://www.lottieanddoof...
http://cooking.nytimes...
http://www.lottieanddoof...
http://cooking.nytimes...
Robert M.July 28, 2016
I have two answers: (1) Put a sign in your yard: "Cukes - - 3 for $1.00. You will be surprised at the response. (2) I found a "Bread & Butter" recipe on the net that was pretty easy and the results were very good.
Sam1148July 27, 2016
I just thought of something else. Using the juice idea with a sweetener strain it and freeze it and use spoon to scrap it up to make a Granita. Some mint infused simple sugar would be nice on that with a mint garnish.
MicheleJuly 28, 2016
Along those lines I just stumbled on this which looks interesting and refreshing. It was the title that got me - apparently it tastes like a mojito. With rum or without. http://www.health.com/food/how-to-make-a-cucumber-granita
Might have to try this.
Might have to try this.
Sam1148July 27, 2016
Skin them and juice them in a blender. Strain the juice out.
You'll have a nice base for mixing with soda water and sugar.
Maybe some vodka or Pimms cup.
You'll have a nice base for mixing with soda water and sugar.
Maybe some vodka or Pimms cup.
MarktheexperimenterJuly 28, 2016
A pity to throw away the skins' vitamins and other phytonutrients. I'd put the chunks-with-skin into the Vitamix.
fearlessemJuly 27, 2016
No great suggestions, just chiming in to say I feel your pain. Two days ago we had 34 pickling cukes in our fridge... And i don't like pickles. Giving them away is the way to go, since people are amazed at how much better garden fresh cukes taste than what they usually get in the store...
Jan W.July 27, 2016
I make a lot of gaspacho in the summer so that uses up quite a few cucumbers, in addition to cucumber salad and pickles, but definitely give some to your friends or donate to a local food pantry as someone suggested. Great ideas!
StephanieJuly 27, 2016
When I come home from my CSA pickup with 10 cucumbers, I pull out the mandoline. Peel strips off the cukes, slice them thin. Put them in a colander, sprinkle with kosher salt, and let them sit at least 30 minutes (I toss them periodically and dump the salty cucumber water that drips out onto the plate).
Meanwhile, thin-slice an onion, throw it in a large bowl with pepper, about 2 tsp of sugar, and chopped fresh dill. Just barely cover with apple cider vinegar.
Mix the cucumbers into the onion mixture. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, then put in jars and into the fridge. Eat at will. (My son eats about a jar a week. The rest of us like a little as a side dish.)
Meanwhile, thin-slice an onion, throw it in a large bowl with pepper, about 2 tsp of sugar, and chopped fresh dill. Just barely cover with apple cider vinegar.
Mix the cucumbers into the onion mixture. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, then put in jars and into the fridge. Eat at will. (My son eats about a jar a week. The rest of us like a little as a side dish.)
MicheleJuly 27, 2016
Sandwiches. A really, really good white bread (something like Pain au Levain by Balthazar http://www.balthazarbakery.com/wholesale/breads.php?flavor=97), a serious slather of great butter and thinly sliced cucumber with a sprinkle of salt. Which is the reason I can't keep cucumbers in the house, given the chance I would eat this sandwich for just about every meal in hot weather.
PegeenJuly 27, 2016
I read in a British book of manners that the rule for making a proper cucumber sandwich was that the cukes had to be sliced so thin that you could read the newspaper through one.
PHILJuly 27, 2016
Balthazar's commercial bakery (open to public) is 5 minutes from my house. Their baguettes are excellent too. I like Sullivan street bakery and Maison Keyser too.
magpiebakerJuly 27, 2016
All great ideas, especially donating - I know you said you don't like pickles but there's the Japanese-style kind that's with brown rice vinegar, sugar, salt and those are easy to make and keep for a while.
ValhallaJuly 27, 2016
You've pretty much covered it, so I concur with donating. Do you drink? I agree cucumber vodka would be nice. Do you like spicy food? Cucumber kimchi is a pickling idea you may not have considered.
RachelJuly 27, 2016
My grandmother used to make what she called freezer pickles... She'd heat a lightly sweet brine made with vinegar, sugar and spices, and very thinly slice the cucumbers and put them in plastic freezer bags. Then she would pour over the brine and freeze them flat (much like freezing sweet corn). I remember she would let the pickles defrost a little bit, before giving them to us. Eating the slushy, briny, sweet pickles was a thousand times better than a Popsicle on a hot summer day. They were so delicious, now i feel like I need to call my mother to ask her to give me the recipe. If she can find it, I will post it on here.
Susan W.July 27, 2016
I love this idea. I hope your mom will share the recipe.
PHILJuly 27, 2016
Filling with Tuna salad is a good idea. My ideas always seem to circle back to vodka
PHILJuly 27, 2016
As Nancy, and Berry Baby said donating them is best idea of all.
BerryBabyJuly 27, 2016
I donate my surplus tomatoes to the local food pantry. They love receiving fresh produce. If you don't have a food pantry, contact local churches in your area. Many help families and support them with food and clothing. I'm sure you will make many people very happy.
702551July 27, 2016
I would try to offload some of them to friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Feeding them to the chickens is a great idea. Frankly, that sounds better than trying to figure out fifty ways to force them down my gullet until I can't stand the smell of them.
Eating small quantities of good things is more appealing to me than engorging myself on massive amounts of something. But that's just me...
Good luck.
Feeding them to the chickens is a great idea. Frankly, that sounds better than trying to figure out fifty ways to force them down my gullet until I can't stand the smell of them.
Eating small quantities of good things is more appealing to me than engorging myself on massive amounts of something. But that's just me...
Good luck.
creamteaJuly 27, 2016
Cold Persian summer soup of yogurt, white raisins, dill, minced garlic, pistachios, pomegranate arils: https://food52.com/recipes...
PHILJuly 27, 2016
Beisdes the good ideas already mentioned , If you make a few different salads you won't get bored. I made a fattoush that was great https://food52.com/recipes... . Cucumber spaghetti if you have a spiralizer. You can make shot glasses out of them for party. FIll them with vodka or gazpacho or some other filling. Also you can make cucumber vodka.
BerryBabyJuly 27, 2016
I like to hollow them out and stuff them with tuna or chicken salad.
creamteaJuly 27, 2016
slice very thinly and put in cold drinks, like Pimm's cup, or lemonade.
Quick pickles (sugar, dill, sweet onion, vinegar from white grain vinegar, or white wine or rice, and water, salt, peppercorns
Salads: add to cabbage slaw with mashed garlic, minced dill, lemon juice, oil, salt, thinly sliced onion; Mediterranean chopped salad, or Tabbouli
Quick pickles (sugar, dill, sweet onion, vinegar from white grain vinegar, or white wine or rice, and water, salt, peppercorns
Salads: add to cabbage slaw with mashed garlic, minced dill, lemon juice, oil, salt, thinly sliced onion; Mediterranean chopped salad, or Tabbouli
NancyJuly 27, 2016
Massive amounts of Tzatziki for your next barbecue or picnic or just eating?
Put a few slices in a cool pitcher of water ...somehow the water tastes fresher (I know, I know, this won't take care of many)
Some food banks take intact (not cut, not processed) fresh produce for distribution. Is that a possibility near you?
Put a few slices in a cool pitcher of water ...somehow the water tastes fresher (I know, I know, this won't take care of many)
Some food banks take intact (not cut, not processed) fresh produce for distribution. Is that a possibility near you?
MarktheexperimenterJuly 28, 2016
You could also take your kids/grandkids to the local weekend farmer's market and teach them some old fashioned entrepreneurialism.
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