It is rightly recommended not to freeze raw vegetables with a high water content - because nobody wants spongy cucumbers and mushy tomatoes on their plate. Still, there are two sensible ways to freeze cucumbers.

Cucumbers can be embedded in ice cubes for delicious cucumber water

Freeze cucumbers for later cooking

The soft texture of thawed vegetables is only a problem if they are to be eaten raw. However, if you want to prepare a dish from cooked cucumbers, for example stewed cucumbers in mustard sauce, it is quite possible to use frozen cucumber slices. The frozen version tastes just as good cooked as the fresh one. You should use up the frozen cucumbers after a year at the latest.
When freezing, do the following:

  1. Peel the cucumber.
  2. Halve them lengthways and scoop out the watery seeds with a spoon.
  3. Cut the cucumber into thick slices.
  4. Put the slices in freezer bags or plastic boxes and seal them carefully before freezing.
  5. When cooking later, put the deep-frozen slices directly into the hot pot.

If you like to prepare the cold vegetable soup Gazpacho, you also have the option of freezing cucumbers pureed in advance.

Freeze pickled cucumbers

The second way to freeze cucumbers is to make a type of cucumber salad, which then goes in the freezer. The added vinegar supports the consistency of the cucumbers, so they can be eaten raw even after they have been thawed. The cucumber slices taste great in a salad or on sandwiches. After a few months in the freezer, the aroma suffers, but the cucumber slices can be kept for up to a year.

  1. Cut the cucumber into thin slices.
  2. Pour them liberally with a mixture of vinegar, a little salt and sugar (you can add other spices if you like).
  3. Thoroughly mix the cucumber slices with the liquid.
  4. Place the cucumber mixture in freezer bags or plastic boxes and seal well before freezing.
  5. Let the cucumber slices thaw slowly in the refrigerator before eating.

Often the better alternative: pickling cucumbers in vinegar

As you can see, the uses of frozen pickles are limited. Most hobby gardeners therefore prefer to soak their cucumber harvest in vinegar water and boil it if necessary. Pickles are a classic that can be stored in the pantry for up to a year.

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Vegetable garden