How to Buy and Store Cucumbers
CUCUMBERS
When to Buy/In Season:
May – August
How to Select:
Look for: firm, well-shaped cucumbers with good, green color. Overmature cucumbers are dull or yellow and appear overgrown and puffy. Smaller variets of cucumbers are ideal for picking.
Organic Issues:
Cucumbers attract striped and spotted cucumber beetles, as well as several types of fungi that cause wilt and kill the vines. Conventional growers chemically treat for these. Organic growers use physical barriers, and typically grown wilt-resistant and fungus-resistant varieties.
Pesticide Issues:
EWG 2009 Dirty Dozen, cucumbers rank #19 for highest levels of pesticide residues
How to Store:
Fresh:
Refrigerate, use with 3 – 5 days
Cucmbers are sensitive to ethylene, formed naturally from certain other produce, so store away from
Apples
Apricots
Avocados
Bananas, unripe
Cantaloupe
Figs
Honeydew
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Tomatoes
Frozen:
To Freeze from fresh:
Peel and chop in food processor. Pack into plastic containers with tight fitting lids. Label and freeze.
Store: frozen cucumbers up to 6 months
Photo Source: nunbun
Return to Buying and Storage Guides
Popularity: 1% [?]
Follow Us