Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
ARE CUCUMBERS PILING UP ON YOUR KITCHEN COUNTER, TOO? I planted just four seeds of the heirloom ‘National Pickling’ variety back in July, and these have produced an overwhelming parade of fruit. I’ve already made several jars of Super Easy Refrigerator Pickles (these are heaven on earth); other cukes I’ve pureed for Refreshing Cucumber & Chive Soup (a first-class first-course). But I need other cucumber recipes. Got any you can share?
Post your cucumber comments below. Probably I’m not the only one who will welcome them!
Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter.
Related Posts:
How to Freeze Green Beans
How to Harvest & Store Winter Squash
My Best Fried Green Tomatoes
Marilyn Wilkie says
We made 8 pints of sweet cucumber relish with our glut of cucumbers, sweet bell and anaheim peppers, sweet onions, etc. You could decrease the amount of sugar. This stuff is wonderful! I added some tumeric also.
http://www.food.com/recipeprint.do?rid=130781
Gin says
A slice of cucumber on a cracker covered with peanut butter is delicious. Add a thin sliver of red onion if you like.
Anonymous says
Kevin, for the third year in a row, something is killing all my cukes. I get a few weeks of great cucumbers, then the vines wither and die. Do you have any organic solutions for dealing with this?
Thanks,
Louise
[email protected]
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Marilyn – Thanks! Looks wonderful. It looks do-able, too, since I have both red and green bell peppers in my garden.
Terry says
I started with 4 plants also, I always get way too many cucumbers! My friends and family always want my sweet pickles, so I can that up and give as gifts every year. I also made some pickle relish this year. Also, you can chop up some cucumber and mix with plain yogurt or sour cream, dill, dash of garlic, for using as a dip or a sandwich topping, or as my young boarder does, eats it right out of the bowl!
I seem to have misplaced my pickle recipe, but it basically calls for equal amounts of sugar and cider vinegar, with a bit of garlic, onion powder, dill, and my own secret ingredient – some cinnamon. I do not soak my cucumbers in salt before canning as I do not want any additional salt. They always turn out fine without that. I pretty much slice up my cucumbers into the jars, make up the liquid and boil the liquid for a few minutes, pour into the jars, then process in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gin – Ooh, ooh, peanut butter, red onion and cuke on a cracker. Must try now!
Louise – Squash vine borers are probably to blame for your withering cukes. Next year, cover the stems (not leaves) of seedlings with a 2-inch piece of cardboard paper-towel tube. This will deter the moth which lays the vine-boring larvae.
Alternatively, plant your cukes in July, as I do. The moth is less active then.
Cary says
Have made 3 quarts of your fridge pickles to rave reviews, thanks so much! Kevin, do not forget gorgeous gazpacho! Our first tomatoes are finally ripening and yesterday picked about 8 Paul Robeson, Amana, Pineapple, (Cherokee Purples taking their sweet time :)), dressed them with a bit of basil and white balsamic and olive oil. Leftovers, can you believe it?, I pureed this morning with a couple cukes and a clove of garlic. Slurped the whole shebang down and I tell you, summer has begun! Enjoy!!! and thanks as always, for your great posts.
Broken Barn Industries says
Simple, very 50s appetizer: Cut cuke lengthwise, scrape out seeds. Fill with cottage cheese, sprinkle with paprika. Cut sideways into finger-food sized sections. Very refreshing. I'm sure you can think of ways to fancy it up but you probably won't need to with that homemade cottage cheese of yours!
sksweeps says
I slice thinly (mandolin slicer) and layer on toast and cover with avocado slices and Mrs. Dash's Southwest Chipotle seasoning, sometimes (fake) bacon bits. I also make salads with cuc chunks, large pieces of red or orange bell pepper, tomatoes and more avocado – super with a chunky italian with roasted pepper dressing.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Terry – Yogurt and chopped cukes, dill and garlic: superb. And if your “little boarder” likes it, mine probably will, too.
Cary – Yes! Gazpacho – on my list!
BBI – Great appetizer. Easy, easy. And chic, too, with homemade cottage cheese.
sksweeps – I have guests coming tonight – will try your cuke, bell pepper & tomato salad out on them. No avacado here today, but think it will be good even without.
Tammy says
Kevin, I cut this recipe out of Organic Gardening earlier in the summer and the cucumber peanut butter bites have been a big hit with guests. Easy peasy, too.
http://farmersmarkets.organicgardening.com/cucumber-peanut.php
It's been a very good cuke year here in NH…lots of pickles put up for the coming year.
badger gardener says
I am not a huge fan of cucumber and only have really liked it finely diced w/ tomato, mayo. and season on a sandwich. I have not yet tried, but am intrigued by my first ever recipe encounter of sauteed cucumber in “From Asparagus to Zucchini” from Madison Area CSA Coaliion:2-3 cukes. Peel, cut in 1/2 lengthwise, deseed. Slice 1/4″ thick moons. Saute 4 min. w/ shallots. Add dill, s&p and saute 1-2min. more ,tossing frequently. Serve.
: ) I never considered cooking cucmbers before so plan on trying this while in season.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Tammy – Checked out the link…they look like fab appetizers. Cucumber and peanut butter? What a taste-sensation!
badger gardener – welcome. Like you, I haven't tried sauteing cucumbers before. Your recipe sounds intriguing, and I will try it. Maybe we should call it “Hot as a Cumcumber.”
suscha says
Here's a different kind of cucumber recipe.
Take 5 or 6 very thinly cut cucumber slices and place them in a small glass. “Muddle” ( press down with a pestle or back of spoon) the slices to release the juice. Add a smidgen of salt. Pour juice (reserve muddled slices) into a martini shaker with ice and add 1 or 2 ounces of smooth vodka such as Ketel One and just a “kiss” of vermouth. Shake until very cold. Pour into chilled martini glass and add
reserved cucumber slides. Yum!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
suscha – Whoa…This must be THE cocktail for August. Thanks for sharing directions. I've got all ingredients on hand, including that blessed kiss of Vermouth.
BarbR7 says
Cucumber martinis are fabulous! Kevin, for a variation I make my cucumber soup with avocados. Also, I like cucumbers steamed or quickly sauteed then topped with a cool dollop of sour cream with herb of your choice (dill or basil with garlic) or yogurt.
Yvonne says
Pickles in a Bucket(sweet yum yum style) – these are very good – I get rave reviews and recipe requests all the time:
crinkle cut or slice cucumbers – approx 8 cups
1 large onion sliced or peel pearl onions
Layer above ingredients in large jar or bucket
4 cups sugar
2 cups vinegar
2 tbsp pickling salt
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp tumeric
1 tsp mustard seed
Combine the above 5 ingredients in pot and heat on stove to dissolve sugar – do not boil
Pour over cucumbers – ready in 48 hours.
Keep in refrigerator
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
BarbR7 – I tried your sauteed cukes, and topped them with sour cream and chopped dill. Fabulous!
Yvonne – Just reading your recipe is making my mouth water. Thanks!
The Japanese Redneck says
I only make pickles with them. I'm so boring.
Janice says
I am envious of all of the cucumbers you all have! This is my first year with a garden and have one cucumber plant. I get lots of flowers but haven't had a single cucumber! I'm at wits end! What could be the problem? BTW, I have the same issue with my zucchini. I'm very sad…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Janice – I can't speak for zucchini, but with cucumbers, it's a matter of pollination. Are you not seeing any bees on the flowers?
If bees aren't pollinating your flowers, you can handle the job yourself. Proceed this way:
Take a cotton swab, and hold it against a male flower. Then touch the same swab against a female flower. A female flower will have a tiny cucumber on it. If the female flower isn't fertilized (pollinated), the tiny fruit won't grow, and the flower itself will drop from the vine after 2 or 3 days.
Janice says
Thanks a ton, Kevin! I'm going to give it a try.
Anonymous says
This is a recipe for cucumbers that my French mother-in-law makes when she visits us in Kansas. It is very light and refreshing!
Salade de Comcombre (I call it 'Claudine's Cucumbers')
2 cucumbers peeled and seeded
Slice very thin on a Mandoline
Place in glass bowl and sprinkle with Kosher salt.
Let rest for two hours to extract the juice.
Drain and mix in the following:
1/2 cup of heavy cream
2 Tbsp. of white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
black pepper
Snipped fresh Dill
Bon Appetit!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Anonymous – Viva Claudine!!! I must make her Salade de Comcombre…immédiatement!
Robin Roski says
I found your link to refrigerator pickles in two places. It doesn’t work from either place. Error 404