So tasty, flavourful and filling (96% water anyway!), cucumbers are great for your health. They cleanse the body and facilitate intestinal transit. Did you know that it is even an anti-stress detox food that calms anxiety? Yes, cucumber has only virtues. You can eat it alone, in a salad, in a smoothie, in soup or even in a glass. But the big question that arises: how to keep it fresh and crunchy for as long as possible? The answer is just below.
How to store cucumbers outside the refrigerator?
The sworn enemy of cucumbers is none other than heat. Being saturated with water, they risk quickly wrinkling and losing their liquid consistency. Therefore, to keep them fresh and crunchy, you should always store cucumbers in a shady place. But there are also some small tips to preserve their properties for as long as possible. Here are some of them:
Sugar and salt
How to keep the deliciously crunchy texture of cucumber?
How to do it?
- Marinate it with a little sugar and it will be nice and crunchy.
- The famous American chef and food critic Andrew Zimmern, whose television shows are popular, also recommends salting cucumbers just before preparing them and leaving them on the plate for a few minutes.
- You will get a perfect consistency for your salads!
plastic bag
Just bought some plump cucumbers? Pack them in a plastic bag. Don’t seal it too tightly—you want to let some air circulate to prevent condensation around the food. So if you only have a zip-top bag, keep it slightly open. As an added bonus, if you store it in the fridge, it will be protected from the ethylene gas that certain fruits like melon produce.
Be careful, remember that cucumbers should not ripen too quickly, otherwise they will deteriorate prematurely.
white vinegar
Another practical method, here is everything you will have to do.
How to do it?
- Pour a handful of vinegar into the bottom of a non-metallic saucepan.
- Put a lid on top and place the cucumbers.
- Cover them and heat.
Vinegar, sugar and soy marinade
Otherwise, you can also preserve them marinated in a jar.
How to do it?
- Boil a mixture of: 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon cup soy sauce
- Cook until sugar dissolves.
- Then let it cool.
- Cut the cucumber into slices (It should be submerged).
- Once the jar has cooled, store it in the pantry for 15 days (you’ll need to turn it every 8 hours to ensure the flavors are even).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why you should never freeze cucumbers
Have you ever put them in the freezer? This is not a good option, because this vegetable does not tolerate very cold temperatures. In such conditions, it loses its freshness more quickly. Also, in the refrigerator, stored in the vegetable drawer, i.e. at about 9°C, is not ideal either. In fact, it would be best to store cucumbers in an environment where the temperature is around 12°C, such as in the basement or pantry. Remember that if stored correctly, your cucumbers can stay fresh for up to three weeks.
Why should you avoid planting cucumbers near apples and tomatoes?
If you have no choice but to store them in the refrigerator, remember the golden rule: never place them next to tomatoes, apples or pears, which risk accelerating their ripening. The cucumbers then risk becoming soft and spoiling too quickly. Finally, it is best to store them in a plastic bag or a closed container.
