Cucumber is one of the healthiest foods around. Someone likes a salad of fresh cucumbers, someone prefers them salted and pickled as a snack. Ladies use this vegetable to create moisturizing face masks. In general, it is absolutely irreplaceable. But the cucumber loses its shape and taste very quickly. Where should this product be stored? How to properly handle such a tender vegetable?
Instructions
Step 1
If there are too many cucumbers, then it is better to pickle some of it. First, select the smallest fruits: pickles (3-5 cm), gherkins (5-7 and 7-9 cm), greens (up to 12 cm). They are best suited for pickling. But you need to do this as soon as possible after collection / purchase, otherwise the cucumbers will become flabby and lose their useful properties. The fruits should be protected from sunlight and wind.
Step 2
Choose lying, battered cucumbers - they will not work for canning. Before pickling cucumbers, soak them for 3-4 hours in cold water, but keep in mind that you should start processing no later than 10 hours after you have prepared the vegetables. There is one little secret: if you add a little mustard to the brine, the vegetables will live longer and acquire a more interesting taste.
Step 3
Larger cucumbers are best left in the refrigerator at an average temperature of 0 degrees. But don't overdo it with the cold! Some varieties are very sensitive to low temperatures and can catch cold. Use plastic bags or utensils with a lid. Place the vegetables on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, preferably separately from the rest of the food. It is best not to wash them beforehand - do it just before eating. So vegetables can be stored for up to 15 days.
Step 4
It is not necessary to have a refrigerator to extend the life of a vegetable. If you are in the country, in the village, use the cellar. Place the cucumbers in a crockery, sprinkle with well-washed sand and cover tightly. They will also stay fresh and tasty underground.
Step 5
There are several ways to store this product in water. You can put cucumbers with sharp ends in cold water 3-8 cm and change it often. If you have a well, you can use that as well. Place the fruits in a bucket, cover with a cloth and lower them into the well so that the bucket does not submerge under the water, but only touches the water mirror.
Step 6
For longer storage, the cucumbers can be frozen. To do this, you need to wash them and cut them into thin slices. Place the sliced cucumbers in layers on plastic wrap in boxes or boxes and place in the freezer. When the whole structure has hardened, transfer the cucumber briquette to a bag and send it back to the freezer.
