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I picked a 5-gallon bucket of cukes today.
I already had a couple gallons sitting around.
I don't like pickles.
Anybody have good suggestions for preserving these that doesn't involve vinegar?
I've read that you can freeze shredded cukes to use in cakes like zucchini. That should take care of a few pounds. And guess what I'm giving everyone for christmas this year...
I've read about drying them into cucumber chips, anybody tried this?
On that note, does anybody sell solar dehydrators?
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Can you tell me the conditions that you grew the cukes with? I tried growing them this summer, but they were attacked by worms or larva, & they never got more than an inch or 2 long. We're in Shores at about 150' elev. We're yours under cover or netting? Any advice you could give me for growing them would really be appreciated!
By the way...I DO use them for pickling & for making pickle relish....
Thanks in advance....Dee
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Same question. I heard that the pickle worms make it almost impossible to successfully grow cucumbers and other like vegetables.
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In the greenhouse at 1500 feet. Greenhouse is plastic on top, screen on sides and ends. Water comes from fish tank, so it's pre-fertilized.
I tried some cukes outside; only got a couple fruit and they had bad spots, so I gave up on outside.
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How does pollination occur?
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I use a brush, but there are lots of ants, too. Plenty of cukes appear where I didn't pollinate--you know, down low, up high, back behind...
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On a related note. How easy is it to dehydrate in the lower Puna area? Does the humidity cause issues?
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I used to work in a restaurant that served an amazing chilled cucumber soup all summer, but it was eons ago and I don't remember the recipe. When it was full on cucumber season we used to puree the cucumbers and freeze them for the next early summer when local cucumbers weren't on yet. They are also good for gazpacho which freezes well after it is made.
Lee,
Why grow so many if you no like ? Or did you just crazy productive crop ?
+ 1 to pickle them for Christmas present ..
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I like cukes, don't like pickles.
I'm looking for ways to preserve the cukes so I can enjoy them all year.
I've shredded a bunch, then drained and wrung them out, and froze the solids. I read they can be used like zucchini in breads and such. The liquid makes a great drink; with a little sweetener, tastes just like watermelon.
My husband went to a friend's house today and learned to make refrigerator pickles (he likes them).
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