Select and Store Cucumbers
Cucumbers are such a versatile salad vegetable that they tend to be bought frequently. Selecting a good one every time and storing it properly are important factors to consider.
Steps
- Look for cucumbers with a bright, even colour of skin without dullness or sweating. The cucumber should look fresh.
- Test the firmness of the cucumber. A good cucumber is firm and does not bend. This firmness should be right through to the tips of the cucumber.
- Look for a fleshy cucumber but not too large in its shape. Smaller cucumbers are crisper and have finer seeds, making them more appealing to many people, especially kids.
- Avoid cucumbers with blemishes, soft spots, yellowing, or easily bent.
- Store cucumbers in the crisper of the refrigerator. Given the high water content of cucumbers, they are best consumed within days of picking. Avoid storing near fruit, as this will cause cucumbers to yellow and deteriorate quickly.
Tips
- After cutting a cucumber, keep a piece of wax paper with a rubber band over the end to prevent too much drying out. Use cut cucumbers quickly, within a day or two of cutting it.
- Note that the apple cucumber is not green but a whitish-yellow or pale skin. Any yellowish tint in this version is usually all right.
Things You'll Need
- Quality fruit and vegetable store
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