What to do with too many cucumbers...

[luvmyb_b]

I am needing suggestions for what I can do with 7 medium-size cukes that I have acquired all at the same time.  DH brought 5 home from work that a guy was sharing there, and our neighbor friend shared two more yesterday.  It won't be too long and I will have my own to pick, so I am in need of ideas.  I don't want to can them since it isn't worth the trouble for so few cucumbers, and I will probably be marinating one or two of them.  I've been adding them to tossed and pasta salads already, and I'm getting a little tired of that.  I'd love new ideas for what I can do with the rest of them. Anyone have some good ones for me? 

Thanks in advance for your consideration!    

[gkids3]

Hi Karen.  Have you ever tried cukes, onions and tomatoes marinated?

3 med to lg cukes, I peel them as we don't especially like the skin in this salad.
1 onion, sliced and separated into rings.  Lots of times I just do a large chop instead of rings.
3 med tomatoes, cut into wedges.

Mix together in separate bowl:

1/2 C. vinegar, I like white but have used the cider as well
1/2 C. sugar
1    C. water
2    tsp. salt.  I like to use Seasoned Salt but use it sparingly just for a bit of added taste.
1    tsp. pepper
1/4 C. oil

Pour mixture over cuke mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hrs.

This is the basic recipe.  I've adjusted the cukes, etc and even the oil vinegar mixture to our taste.  I know some people also use some type of a cream mixture instead of the oil and vinegar, but the oil and vinegar is what I grew up with.

Happy Cukes......

[ThatGuyRick]

There is no such thing as "too many cucumbers." You can make quick refrigerator pickles, thin slice them on sandwiches, eat them as a snack, saute them with dill, give them to friends (and enemies), send them to me, add them to salads, etc. Good luck with your "problem." I wish I had the same problem. LOL.  - Rick - 

[mnwildflowers]

Do you have access to fresh dill? You could slice them and make refrigerator pickles. They are my favorite and they keep a year in the fridge (tho they never last that long as they are so good).

[retteacher]

This is an old recipe from the 50s that my grandmother used to make. A lot of people turn their noses up when they read the ingredients, but I loved this stuff, even as a child. I still make it with fond memories of my grandmother!

Nana's Green Jello  (that's what we called it as kids!)


TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. + chilling
MAKES: 6 servings
Ingredients

1 medium cucumber
1 package (3 ounces) lime gelatin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup (8 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
1 small onion, grated
1/2 cup walnuts


Directions

Peel and halve cucumber; remove the seeds. Shred and pat dry*; set aside. In a bowl, combine gelatin and salt with boiling water; stir until dissolved. Add mayonnaise and cottage cheese; mix well. Stir in the onion and shredded cucumber. Pour into an oiled 5-cup mold. Refrigerate until firm. Unmold onto a serving platter. Garnish with cucumbers and parsley if desired. Yield: 6 servings.

* Get them really dry! If too wet the jello will have trouble setting up.

[retteacher]

Cukes and onions are always good to keep in the refrigerator.

Cukes and Onions

1 C cider vinegar
1 C sugar
+/- 1/4 C vegetable oil

Pour over thinly sliced peeled or unpeeled cucumber, thinly sliced onions (almost paper thin). Let set about 24 hours in refrigerator.

(I sometimes eliminate the oil. I don't think it's needed, but lots of people like it.)

The colder they are, the better. I keep them in the fridge and just reach in for a snack. Also served as a side dish. They're a great summer "salad".

[Angela]

Something that my sister did recently & which I had never seen was cut the cucumbers in chunks & dressed them with the vinegar from a jar of purchased dills.  

[luvmyb_b]

gkids, I do marinate my cucumbers with onion, and sometimes tomatoes.  I use my grandmother's recipe for the marinate because I love it and it reminds me of her.  I am certain that I will be doing that with at least a couple of my cukes.

Hmmm ... Rick, you have given me good things to think about.  I never considered putting them on a sandwich before.  What a good idea!  I had been eating them as a snack before receiving our current crop.  DH had bought a really nice English cucumber that lasted me a while.  Sauteing them with dill intrigues me.  It sounds like you like cucumbers yourself, so I wish you had an overabundance of them as well.  Wish I could send you some.   :))

Melissa, I have never made refrigerator pickles before, but now may be the time to try them.  I half had that in the back of my mind when I heard someone mention them on one of the cooking threads.  I may need to look into doing this!

Thanks for the ideas, everyone!  Now that you all have sparked my imagination, I think I may have a recipe for cucumber sandwiches.  I'll have to look that up.   

[Angela]

Karen, I could live on cucumber & cheese sandwiches! 😊 If there happens to be a garden ripe tomato to add to it, all the better.

[Kathy_SD]

I only have 2 plants but the cucumbers were plentiful and keep coming. I have made them mixed with onion and tomato in an olive oil mixture, canned them, given them away and have even thrown some away. Mine started producing a month before other peoples did so now that theirs are I will have a hard time giving them away.

[plantdoctor]

I always make a creamed cucumbers when I have a surplus.  Slice cucumbers, add tomatoes and onions.  The dressing is ½ sour cream and ½ salad dressing(how much depends on how many cukes and tomatoes) with garlic powder, lemon pepper, dill weed and salt.  I add 1 Tbsp of sugar to the mix.  We prefer the creamed over the vinegar recipes.  Charlene

[Deleted]

I love cukes! Try making cucumber salad. I love this. You slice thecukes very thinly, add some sliced onion, use a vinegrette/mayo or ranch dressing. Iwish I had that problem!

[luvmyb_b]

More good ideas!  Thank you for them. 

I am going to have to try your recipe for Nana's Green Jello, retteacher.  DH loves lime jello!

I've never tried the creamed cucumbers, Charlene.  I'll have to see about getting lemon pepper so I can try them.  Would dried dill from a jar work okay?    

[pippin3]

Do try the refrigerator pickles...they are very easy and so good. I make refrigerator zucchini pickles too and my walking buddy's husband called and asked if he could buy some!

[plantdoctor]

Karen...I use whatever spices I have in the cupboard...anything goes.  Instead of lemon pepper, maybe garlic salt or powder..sometimes I use dill...sometimes not.  I have used the greek Cavenders seasoning as well...like I said..whatever seasonings you like.  It is also a great way to use extra cherry tomatoes...I just cut them in ½.