No need to throw out overgrown, bitter cucumbers. By first removing the cucumbers' peels, and then salting and draining them, much of the bitterness is extracted. Then, a honey-lemon dressing works alongside cranberries to finish job. This allows sugar, salt, and acidity to work together, quieting any unpleasant bitterness while also creating a meld of fruity, citrus flavors.
I brought this to a small gathering and it was enjoyed by all- despite the fact that these cucumbers were originally very bitter!
My children love cranberries and lemons, so I thought the cucumbers would be well received when tossed with these ingredients. No, it wasn't ice cream, so they weren't begging for more. However, they did by-and-large finish what was served on their plate, which is my goal concerning kids, anyway.
Initially, I added some of the hazelnuts from my yard (as shown in the picture), however as most people don't have those; regular walnuts will work fine.
Kitchen Tools and Techniques:
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| Removing Cucumber Seeds |
This recipe is is not meant to be overly-goopy, so I removed the seeds. A favorite tool in my kitchen for doing this is the grapefruit spoon, which easily scapes and scoops out seeds from most vegetables, making my job a breeze.
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| Extracting Lemon Oils |
The dressing for this salad uses salt to extract extra lemon flavor from the peels. Because of this, organic lemons are preferred. I discovered this technique while trying a kale recipe by chef Christopher Kimball and his Milk Street team. Gardeners wishing to make vegetables more palatable would enjoy this recipe and others from his book Milk Street Vegetables. Click here to get your copy on Amazon.
Freezing Cucumbers:
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| Freezing Cucumbers |
Did you know you can freeze cucumbers? I do all the time! See more in my post: Yes, You can Freeze Your Excess Cucumbers.
Garden Notes:
Cucumbers are a great starting point for any gardener. I have never had trouble growing cucumbers. They are frost sensitive, so they have will have to be protected when frost initially arrives, and will not survive very cold temperatures even with a frost blanket.
Although traditionally started or planted out in May, this year, I started my cucumbers in July, which gets quite hot and humid here in Missouri. They grew just fine, and I began harvesting in August, having several months worth of cucumbers to enjoy. Keep picking them, and they keep growing.
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