skip to main content

Cooked cucumbers?

16 years ago

When looking through old cookbooks, I often see recipes for cooked cucumbers - braised, sauteed and mixed with sour or heavy cream, or breaded or battered and deep fried.

The first time I ever had cooked cucumbers was in Martinique, when we had hot and spicy stew with grated cucumbers in it. They were heated rather than cold and really added contrast to the dish.

Do you ever cook them? If so, how?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

blueberrier1
16 years ago
Ruthanna, since cukes are rather 'neutral' in flavor, they blend in easily with many dishes. That stew sounds great. I often make a tasty stir fried beef with cukes(sliced or 1/2" chunks), being twice the beginning weight of the beef! Many ethnic cookbooks have recipes...even for cooked lettuce. Try to access an older cookbook, such as The Gold Cookbook by Louis P. De Gouy (originally pub 1947). His books are treasures, as they will introduce you to so many variations of all edibles.

BTW, what else was in the stew you had? Seafood, beef, pork, all veggies?...Spices?
rachelellen
16 years ago
Cukes are cooked in many Asian cuisines. They use the pickling cukes or English cukes. There is also another variety that looks rather like the English, but thinner and with slight ridges that I buy in Chinese markets, but I don't know the name of. All of these have fewer seeds and firmer flesh than salad cukes. Generally, the peel is left on, or removed in stripes for aesthetic purposes.

I have used them in stir fries, soups, and braised dishes. Unfortunately, I haven't any recipes as these are things I just make.
Related Discussions
Help!? Freezing! What Do I Cover Cactus With?
Q
Comments (3)
I am also new to southwest. Last year all my potted plants died in the winter. Since a greenhouse is not possible in my backyard, I researched for something effective to cover the plants with. I found a synthetic fabric called frost cover or frost fleece. I have been using that to cover all my potted plants in the backyard patio this winter and so far even the tropical climate plants are alive (even with temperature in 20s). We haven't had frost yet so I can not say how it will hold up with that. I found this fabric in local nursery. Home depot and lowes do not carry this. Advantage over burlap is that when burlap gets wet in rain/water from sprinklers, it would be damaging to the plants. Frost/winter fleece breaths well, lets the sunshine in, does not damage plants in rain/water. If you can not find it in your local nursery you will find it over the internet.
...See More
Really Needing Help with Cucumbers
Q
Comments (8)
I'd suggest taking the Self-Study Coarse at the National Center for Home Food Preservation (see link below) if you are new to home-canning. I think you will find it very helpful. When it comes to making soup, it requires a pressure canner due to the low-acid foods (vegetables and meat) commonly used in them. You can't add noodles or other pasta, rice, flour, cream, milk or other thickening agents to home-canned soups. One of the first things you learn about home-canning is NOT to make up your own recipes. You can't be sure if there is proper heat penetration and can't be sure of the safety. To improve the safety, start with a TESTED recipe, and you will find those located at the National Center for Home Food Preservation web site, or in the Ball Blue Book (the only commercial book that goes by the USDA standards). I have cucumbers coming out of my ears as well ;-) -Grainlady Here is a link that might be useful: National Center for Home Food Preservation
...See More
Vegetable Basket Challenge 2013!
Q
Comments (23)
That is a really nice recipe. Very simply written and gives the right amount of marching orders. "while the vegetables are simmering, sort your leaves...." Yet encourages an exploration of new flavors. Using such a simple base, just about any fresh green or vegetable can be used to finish the soup. Baby beet greens, baby chard and basil. Last night i used the same base and added an ear of corn off the cob with fennel fronds. And a chopped tomato to the broth. That is a lot of soup though. Finishes at almost two quarts. For two people as a main course or mid-week quick meal, 2 cups of stock instead of 4 w/ shallot or onion, celery, potato... To lower the calories, a chopped tomato and a heaping spoonful of greek plain non-fat yogurt and/or a 1/4 cup coconut milk... What i made last night would serve easily 6-8 as a first course. Tougher baby greens like the kales i like to put in early with the broth. My garden is producing as if it is early July with the calm weather without a frost yet. A new bounty of baby chard and mixed greens but not enough for a side dish. A good recipe to use the babies. I even have a dozen 4inch zucchini. Another bag of string beans, oy. Horseradish leaves give me a stomach ache if larger than a hand and very bitter. Young and smaller than an average hand have a nice tang earthy flavor. Like arugula and kale. I have a few friends that really want to cook and learn, but they insist on tight-fisting a printed recipe and following to a 't', getting frustrated and hysterical shopping for the exact ingredients, often giving up. Spend a fortune on morning latte', 20 dollar lunches, (and shoes, lol) Then cocktails and take-out. (!) This would be the perfect recipe for a girls get together cooking class.
...See More
What do you do with cucumbers?
Q
Comments (28)
I have devised and refined a recipe for Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup, that many people who don't typically like cucumbers rave about. Just this past week I brought about 10 cucumbers from our garden with us to Maine (in a carry-on bag) to make a large batch of it for a potluck gathering of my wife's family. The recipe makes about 36 oz which should serve about 6 as an appetizer Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup 3 large cucumbers (peeled and seeded) 1 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup plain greek yogurt 1/3 cup sour cream 2 Tbsp crushed garlic 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp dill weed After peeling and seeding cucumbers, chop them into 1/2" cubes and place in colander. Sprinkle all of the salt on the cucumber pieces and let sit for 10 minutes. (to draw out some of the moisture and any bitterness) Next place salted cucumbers in food processor or blender with all of the remaining ingredients, blend until desired smoothness. Chill for about an hour and serve.
...See More
ruthanna_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, then I'll be trying out cooked cucumbers this summer.

Blueberrier, main ingredients of the stew were onions, peppers, goat and what I'd call pigeon peas. Having neither goat nor the beans on hand, I improvised with beef cubes cooked in a jar of picante sauce, beef broth, lime juice minced fresh ginger and garlic. I used cumin seeds, celery seed, and ground cardamom as the main spices and added hot and sweet peppers, onions, and cooked black beans when the beef was tender.

I'm at that point now and will stir in some chopped parsley and the shredded cucumbers to heat when we're ready to eat. So far, it has the flavor I was looking for. If it turns out OK, I'll post a photo on the "What's for Dinner" thread.
centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Intriguing! I have never cooked a cuke. I still want to try a sauteed radish recipe I saved, too.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

By Laura Gaskill

Would you rather sip wine and read than cook every night? Consider these kitchen amenities

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Great Gifts for Kids Who Cook

By Mariko Jackson

Set a young chef's imagination to simmer with 20 toys for baking, grilling and playing in the kitchen

KITCHEN DESIGN Guest Picks: Must-Have Kitchen Tools

By Damaris @KitchenCorners

Damaris of Kitchen Corners shares her 20 top picks for cooking gadgets and tools

KITCHEN DESIGN Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary

By KitchenLab Interiors

Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space

KITCHEN PANTRIES 8 Ways to Create the Perfect Pantry

By Jason Ball Interior Design

How to design a show-stopping pantry that makes you eager to get cooking

FARM YOUR YARD My Houzz: Backyard Farming for a Kansas City Family

By Jordana Nicholson

A backyard garden provides a family of 5 with organic seasonal produce. Here's how they do it

FARM YOUR YARD 6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By Abundant City

It takes time and practice, but growing edibles in the suburbs or city is possible with smart prep and patience

GARDENING GUIDES Step Right Outside for Fresh Herbs and Vegetables

By Abundant City

Decks and patios can be convenient spots for edibles, and sometimes they even offer advantages over backyard gardens

EDIBLE GARDENS Summer Crops: How to Grow Squash

By Marianne Lipanovich

Almost foolproof and with cheerful flowers, squash comes in a wide range of varieties to plant in spring

GARDENING GUIDES California Gardener's June Checklist

Update your hydrangeas, catch up on tomatoes and more ways to enjoy your California garden in June

Sponsored

Miller Woodworks

23 Reviews

Franklin County's Trusted Custom Cabinetry Solutions

More Discussions

Tried and true tart recipes

18

Stuffed burgers - what do you like to find in yours?

15

I made a cassoulet!

16

No-Bake Summer Desserts?

20

Have you made fruit leather? Any tips?

3