There are a number of great things to do with cucumbers. These can range from soups and salads to dried chips and pickles. Here are a few of them.
Pickles
Pickles and cucumbers are both members of the cruciferous family. However, they are not exactly the same. A pickle is a jarred condiment made with a brine, vinegar, salt, and dill.
To make pickles, first you’ll need cucumbers and a good brine. You can use water, cider vinegar, or white vinegar. Brine is a mixture of water and vinegar. If you prefer a tangy, sour, or sweet pickle, you can add various spices and seasonings. For example, you can include red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, and celery seed.
The most obvious ingredient in a pickle is vinegar, but you can also add mustard seeds, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Fresh herbs are also great in a pickle.
Pickles are typically stored in the refrigerator. They last several weeks. You can use a variety of different vegetables, including green beans, carrots, cauliflower, and red bell peppers. But keep in mind that cucurbitacins, the chemicals in cucumbers that produce gas, can cause stomach upset.
Depending on the type of pickles you want to make, you can keep them in the fridge for a couple of months. Refrigerator pickles are a lot of fun to eat and can be a great alternative to the traditional canning method.
Another fun way to make pickles is by using a brine. Often, a combination of water, salt, and vinegar is used. Add the ingredients to a jar, seal it, and allow it to sit in the refrigerator.
Salads
Salads with cucumbers are a delicious and healthy side dish. They can be served on their own or alongside meat dishes. Usually, the vegetables are mixed with a light dressing.
The salads can be made up to 12 hours in advance. If you are making it for a picnic, you can pack it in a container and leave it out on a picnic table.
Cucumber salad is made with a combination of fresh and canned goods. You can make it with chopped greens, a dressing, and sliced sausages or other savory sausages. This salad is usually served in a bowl.
There are many kinds of recipes for salads with cucumbers. Most often, the recipe indicates which type of cucumber is used. However, you can adjust the ingredients and change the flavors to fit your preferences.
A classic cucumber salad is served with a creamy dressing. You can add sour cream or mayonnaise to the dressing. Also, you can use a red wine vinaigrette. It should be made with olive oil, 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1 Tbsp dried oregano.
If you are looking for more flavorful cucumber salads, you can try recipes that incorporate Asian pears. Instead of using the usual vinegar, you can try lemon juice. For a slightly sharper taste, you can also try adding jalapeno peppers.
Another option is to make a fried mushroom salad. Fried mushrooms are a great side dish for meat. To make it, cut them into thin slices. Serve with a little oil and salt.
Soups
Soups are a great way to eat your cucumbers when they are overripe. You can also add a few ingredients to make your soup stand out. Using cucumbers in your soup will also help you get through the summer.
Using cucumbers in your soup can be a refreshing change from eating raw vegetables. Cucumbers are high in water content, which makes them a good choice in a soup. This means your soup will be a smooth and tasty experience.
There are many different kinds of soups you can make with cucumbers. One of the most interesting is the soup that combines cucumbers with yogurt. Known as tarator, this cold soup is popular during the summer. The soup is made with Bulgarian yogurt, garlic, and a few other ingredients.
Another interesting soup is the naengguk. It is a Korean favorite, and the name translates into “naengguk” which is a translation of “cool”. Unlike its hot counterpart, naengguk is not a stew but a pureed soup. Naengguk is also a good source of nutrients, especially for those who suffer from digestive problems.
It is not only fun to cook but it is also very healthy, making it a perfect option for a family lunch. In fact, it is said that naengguk is the best refreshment to have on a hot day.
If you are looking to use up some of those overripe cucumbers, you can try out some of the most creative recipes on the internet. From soups to salads to smoothies, you’ll find a variety of ways to enjoy this fruit.
Dried chips
When you’re looking for a healthy snack, dried chips with cucumbers are a great choice. They’re easy to make and have a great taste. Plus, they’re low in calories. The only thing you’ll need is a dehydrator.
Aside from being a great snack, dried chips with cucumbers can be used in many recipes. Try using them in salads, chili toppings, and even sandwiches. And the best part is that they’re gluten free, nut free, and autoimmune protocol diet friendly!
Cucumbers can be dried in a number of ways, but you can’t go wrong with a simple mandoline. You can also use a food dehydrator.
If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can still dry cucumbers in a oven. Just set the temperature to a low setting. For the best results, use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
When you’re drying cucumbers, you’ll need to remove the skins. It’s a good idea to scrub off the dirt and pesticides first. This will allow the slices to dry properly.
Another great way to dry cucumbers is in an air fryer. You can use a simple oven thermometer to ensure you’re using the right temperature. Once you’ve gotten the temp down to a low enough temperature, you can place the slices on a tray.
For a more impressive, high-tech method, try the Excalibur Dehydrator. Not only is this an efficient way to dry cucumbers, it’s more versatile as well.
Tzatziki sauce
A tzatziki sauce is the perfect accompaniment for grilled meats, vegetables, and pita chips. It is made with Greek yogurt, grated cucumbers, garlic, and dill. This creamy sauce is made with a few easy steps.
Ideally, you should use full-fat Greek yogurt for this recipe. However, you can substitute plain yogurt. That said, you will likely end up with a runny, watery tzatziki. So make sure you strain it first.
Once you have strained the yogurt, you will need to store it in the refrigerator. You can also freeze it. The texture of the tzatziki will be better if you store it in a tight container.
After you have strained the yogurt, you will want to place it in a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. You can leave it in the sieve for several hours or overnight. If you don’t have time to wait, you can put the yogurt in the freezer.
After your yogurt is strained, you can mix it with grated cucumbers and fresh dill. You should also add a bit of garlic and olive oil to give it an extra flavor.
In addition to garlic and olive oil, you can use lemon juice to add even more flavor. If you do not have fresh lemon juice, you can substitute white wine vinegar.
To finish your tzatziki, you can either refrigerate it or serve it immediately. The flavors will last in the fridge for several days.
Cucumber pinwheels
Cucumber pinwheels are a fun and tasty appetizer. These low carbohydrate delights are easy to make and offer a nice fresh crunch to boot. The calorie count is also relatively low. This recipe is perfect for those who are trying to watch their diet.
You can make these at home or grab a quick bite on the way to the gym. While these pinwheels are best served fresh, you can store them in the fridge for up to three days.
To prepare the pinwheels, start by chopping up the cucumber in the most efficient manner possible. This may mean using a mandolin slicer to create thin ribbons. Or you can cut the cucumbers with a knife. Regardless of how you go about it, be sure to wash it thoroughly before proceeding.
One of the most interesting aspects of these pinwheels is that they are made from an ingredient that’s usually found in a salad. Aside from being a delicious and wholesome snack, they are a great way to get in some extra vitamins.
Aside from the usual suspects, you can also use other ingredients in your pinwheel recipe. For instance, you can also try out canned chicken as a replacement for tuna. Alternatively, you can use a spicy seasoning mix.
It’s a good idea to serve these up with a salad to round out the meal. In fact, you could make these the night before and have a picnic in your backyard the next day.
