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Cucumbers are a healthy and delicious snack, but get limp and soggy after a few days. Extend their shelf life by wrapping cucumber slices in a wet paper towel and placing them in the fridge. For long-term storage, mix the slices into a brine before freezing them. Utilize proper storage techniques to ensure your cucumber slices stay fresh until you need them.
Ingredients
- 7 small cucumbers
- 1 tbs (14.8 ml) salt
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) distilled white vinegar
Steps
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Wash the cucumbers before storing them. Take the cucumbers out of the package, even if they are vacuum-sealed in plastic. Rinse them under cool, running water in your sink. Soap isn't necessary, although it will not harm the cucumber if you choose to use it. [1] X Research source
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Dry the cucumbers thoroughly. The cucumbers have to be dry before they can be stored. Wipe them off with a paper towel to remove most of the moisture. Afterwards, wrap them inside a clean paper towel or dishcloth. The material absorbs any remaining moisture until you are ready to slice the cucumbers.- Any cucumbers that feel soft or have mold spots on them should be used immediately. Cut away the soft or moldy spots with a knife.
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Peel the cucumber for easier storage. Strip down the cucumber using a vegetable peeler. Remove the dark green skin, leaving the light green flesh exposed. Preventing the skin from going soft is difficult. It is easier to remove it, unless you prefer not slicing your cucumbers.
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Cut the cucumbers into small slices. Use a sharp knife to slice the cucumber into more manageable sections. Aim for slices 1 ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) long. The slices don’t have to be exact, so there is no need to break out a ruler. Try to keep the slices as small and as even as possible to prevent them from collecting water. [2] X Research source
- Cucumbers are best when used right away. If you aren’t planning on using a cucumber yet, refrain from slicing it. Instead, wrap it in a dry paper towel and place it inside a bag in the refrigerator.
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Dampen a paper towel. No matter how you slice the cucumbers, keep the skinless parts covered with a paper towel. Moisten the towel lightly under cool, running water in your skin. Avoid soaking the towel, since extra moisture causes cucumbers to soften faster. Squeeze the excess water out of the towel.
- Cutting a cucumber into small slices is the easiest way to store it, but it isn’t the only way. You can store a partially-cut cucumber as long as you keep the flesh damp and the skin dry.
- For example, if you cut the cucumber in half, cover the exposed half with a damp paper towel. Cover the skin with a dry paper towel to prevent it from absorbing moisture.
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Wrap the cucumber in the paper towel. Set the cucumber pieces in the middle of the paper towel. Fold the ends over to cover the slices completely. The small amount of moisture should keep the fruit fresh without turning it to mush. [3] X Research source
- If you are worried about adding too much moisture, you can wrap the slices in a dry paper towel instead.
- Because moisture causes cucumbers to turn soft and moldy, store slices separately from uncut cucumbers.
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Store the wrapped cucumbers in an open plastic bag. The produce bags available at many grocery stores serve as great storage containers. Resealable plastic bags are another option. Prevent the cucumbers from getting soggy by leaving the bag open. This allows moisture to escape. [4] X Research source
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Tuck the bag into the warmest part of the refrigerator. A vegetable drawer or crisper are ideal spots if you have them in your refrigerator. Other than that, position them at the front end of a middle shelf. Your cucumbers are better off away from cold air, which collects near the floor and freezer. [5] X Research source
- Studies show that cucumbers don’t hold up well in the cold. Temperatures under 50 °F (10 °C) begin damaging them after 3 days. Control the temperature as best as you can and eat the slices as soon as possible. [6] X Research source
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Keep the slices away from ethylene-producing fruits. Cucumbers are sensitive to ethylene and degrade faster in it. Avoid storing these fruits with cucumbers if you can. If you do have them in the same refrigerator, move them to opposite sides or utilize bins to reduce ethylene exposure. [7] X Research source
- This invisible gas is produced by fruits such as melons, bananas, apples, peaches, and pears. Tomatoes are another big reason why your cucumbers may turn to mush way too quickly.
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Use the cucumbers within 2 days. Cucumbers don’t last long, especially after being sliced. Plan on using them within a few days. With proper storage and a little luck, they may last as long as a week. [8] X Research source
- Since cucumbers tend to spoil so quickly, minimize the number of slices you store. Leave cucumbers whole until you need them.
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Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl. Lay the cucumber slices as flat as possible in a large mixing bowl. Spread them out in a single layer, if possible. The more you are able to spread out the slices, the easier they will be to salt. Also, choose a bowl that can resist cool temperatures.
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Sprinkle salt over the cucumbers. The tablespoon (14.8 ml) of salt is meant for 7 cups of sliced cucumbers. Reduce the amount of salt when storing less than that. Using your fingers or a measuring spoon, distribute the salt evenly. You may also mix the slices by hand or with a spoon to coat them in salt. [9] X Research source
- If you are ever unsure about how much salt to use, sprinkle a small amount on each slice. Use as much as you can pick up between 2 fingers.
- While you can freeze cucumbers directly without salt and other ingredients, they turn to mush because they have so much water. They are still good for adding flavor to drinks, soups, and smoothies, though.
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Refrigerate the cucumbers overnight. Move the bowl into the refrigerator. You do not have to do anything now but wait and can leave the bowl alone for up to 24 hours. If you wish to make sure the cucumbers stay crisp, cover the bowl with a towel and put a handful of ice on top of it. [10] X Research source
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Drain the cucumbers. The next day, remove the bowl from the refrigerator and pour out the water. Press down on the cucumbers by hand or with a kitchen utensil to squeeze out excess water. Removing the water is essential to keeping the cucumbers crisp. [11] X Research source
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Mix the cucumbers in sugar and vinegar. Add the white sugar and distilled white vinegar to the bowl. Mix the ingredients, allowing the sugar to dissolve as the cucumbers soak for a few minutes. [12] X Research source
- Adjusted the ratio according to your tastes. Many times, more sugar and less vinegar is used for sweeter cucumbers. Using more vinegar than sugar leads to sour pickles.
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Store the cucumbers in freezer containers. Take out the bowl again and transfer the pickles to the resealable, frost-resistant containers. Include the sugar and vinegar liquid in the containers as well, leaving about 1 ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) of empty space at the top. The cucumbers can last all year in the freezer. [13] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan glycophosphate cross the root barrier and become systemic?Jocelyn HobanCommunity AnswerGlyphosate is a systemic herbicide that moves through the phloem and accumulates in the roots. That is why it "kills weeds, roots and all." ... Mathers also found that formulations of glyphosate that contain surfactants (products that increase its absorption into target weeds) increase the likelihood of damage.
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QuestionI am planning to make seafood mousse with a covering of sliced cucumber (lining tin with cucumber before adding mousse mix and refrigerating). Will the cucumbers be okay for 24 hours?KateyKateCommunity AnswerI don't think it would be a problem, other than the cucumbers might not be very crisp or crunchy after soaking up the mousse.
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Tips
- To keep cucumbers fresher for longer, avoid slicing them until you are ready to use them.Thanks
- Use soggy cucumbers right away. Cut off any soft or moldy spots and don’t store them.Thanks
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Things You’ll Need
Preparing Cucumbers for Storage
- Water
- Paper towel
- Vegetable peeler
- Knife
- Water
- Paper towel
- Plastic bag
- Warmer spot in the refrigerator
Freezing Cucumber Slices
- Large bowl
- Measuring cup
- Freezer containers
References
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-store-cucumbers-article
- ↑ https://cooktopcove.com/2016/06/22/how-to-keep-cut-vegetables-and-lettuce-crisp-for-days/
- ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/vegetables/fresh-vegetables/how-long-do-cucumbers-last-shelf-life-expiration-date/
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/ingredients/how-to-store-cucumbers-article
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-place-for-storing-cucumbers-173142
- ↑ https://www.rootsimple.com/2012/06/dont-store-your-cucumbers-in-the-fridge/
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/the-best-place-for-storing-cucumbers-173142
- ↑ https://www.eatbydate.com/vegetables/fresh-vegetables/how-long-do-cucumbers-last-shelf-life-expiration-date/
- ↑ https://www.cooks.com/recipe/2q6g82g9/cucumbers-for-freezing.html
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To store sliced cucumbers, start by dampening a paper towel with cold water. If it’s dripping, squeeze the towel to get rid of the excess water. Then, wrap your cucumber slices in the paper towel so they're fully covered. Once you’ve wrapped your cucumber slices, place them in an open resealable bag, which protects them from bacteria but lets moisture escape at the same time. Place them in the warmest part of your fridge, such as inside a vegetable drawer or in the front of the middle shelf so your cucumbers don’t get damaged by the coldest air. However, keep them away from melons, bananas, apples, peaches, pears, and tomatoes, since the ethylene in these fruits will degrade your cucumber faster. Use your slices within 2 days while they’re still fresh. For more tips, including how to freeze your cucumber slices, read on!
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