Proper way to store cuks

[hornstrider]

I am having a successful cucumber harvest year thus far. I am curious as to the best way to store cucumbers. I usually put my harvest into an ice chest until I bring them in to the house, and then put into the refrig. They last a few days in the refrig until they get limp. Is there a way to extend the firmness?

I don't think there is any way to make them last longer-I wash and dry them then wrap them in a paper towel in a plastic bag. I wonder if any of the bags that are hyped to make things stay fresh longer would do any good. I have never tried them.

[dpurdy]

hornstrider has it correctly. The only way I've ever been able to save cucumbers for up to a week has been by wrapping them in a paper towel and placing them in a plastic bag, and then in the frig. They're only good for a couple of days on the counter before they get soft or start to wrinkle up.
dpurdy

[Got Worms?]

That's what pickles are all about. Make some relish, and such.

[hornstrider]

Thanks all........I find if I put them individually into a zip-lok bag w/ a few drops of water it helps.......but not much........Got Worms.........can you share a relish receipe?

[clkeiper]

This is for ALL veg and fruits... Rinse your produce with a vinegar solution as soon as you bring it in. I just dump white vinegar into water...no real measure, but 1 c. to 1 gal of water would be okay. This kills all the bacteria and mold/fungi spores in the skin. Do not wipe dry..let it drip dry and try not to damage the skin. I have found that the drier the better for storing cukes. They don't like to have wet skin.

[Got Worms?]

Sweet cuke relish
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=25698

[Cole_Robbie]

agreed on the paper towel. change it with a dry one if it becomes moist

[TNTiger]

I just put them in a basket on the counter and most of them stay nice for almost a week. Mine are slicing cucumbers if that makes a difference.

[hornstrider]

I thought maybe someone has found a perfect method for keeping cuks for a longer period of time. I tried to put them into an ice chest w/ ice in it, and keep them iced down. That seemed to help, but after a few days they would get sort of a slimey feeling to them. I know that you do not pick cuc's and let them set outside for an hour before bringing them in.....Like I said I put them into the ice chest until I go in, and put in the refrig.........thanks for everyone's input. I will try to make some relish as per instruction.

[RebelRidin]

Originally Posted by hornstrider

I thought maybe someone has found a perfect method for keeping cuks for a longer period of time. I tried to put them into an ice chest w/ ice in it, and keep them iced down. That seemed to help, but after a few days they would get sort of a slimey feeling to them. I know that you do not pick cuc's and let them set outside for an hour before bringing them in.....Like I said I put them into the ice chest until I go in, and put in the refrig.........thanks for everyone's input. I will try to make some relish as per instruction.

That sliminess is bacteria. Wash in vinegar solution as described or even a dilute bleach solution. Pat dry/let air dry.

We store in the crisper in some of the green bags. Our experience with them is good. They seem to work especially well for things like lettuce and spinach but we use for lots of things. They even seem to extend storage of things like broccoli.