Is it possible to preserve bitter cucumbers: influence on taste and recipes for twists
Sometimes it happens that the entire cucumber crop has a bitter taste. Of course, you don’t want to eat them like that at all, but it’s a shame to throw them away. The main reason for the appearance of a bitter taste is errors in agricultural technology.
From the article you will learn how to pickle bitter fruits and what can be done with them raw. Let's look in detail at what reasons could have caused the change in the taste of cucumbers.
Is it possible to preserve bitter cucumbers?
The bitterness in cucumbers is caused by the substance cucurbitacin. During heat treatment, it splits, and with it the unpleasant aftertaste goes away. Therefore, bitter cucumbers are not only possible, but also necessary to preserve. They acquire exactly the same taste as regular fruits. So this is the surest, and sometimes the only way to somehow preserve the harvest.
Reference. Despite its taste characteristics, cucurbitacin is considered beneficial for the human body. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. Therefore, nothing bad will happen if you eat a couple of bitter cucumbers.
Recipes for bitter cucumber twists
Bitter fruits are preserved in the same way as regular ones. But there are a couple of nuances. Before proceeding directly to preparation, the cucumbers must be thoroughly washed and soaked for 8 hours in ice water. It is advisable to change the water every 2 hours to keep it cold. Here are examples of step-by-step recipes.
In a spicy marinade
The cucumbers according to this recipe are very sharp and crispy.You will need a three-liter jar.
Ingredients:
- 2 kg of cucumbers;
- 6 cloves of garlic;
- 30 black peppercorns;
- 3 pods of red hot pepper;
- 1 horseradish leaf;
- 3 blackcurrant leaves;
- 2 bay leaves;
- 10 coriander seeds;
- 1 sprig of tarragon;
- 1 sprig of basil;
- 3 tbsp. l. vodka;
- 1.3 liters of water;
- 75 g salt;
- 150 g sugar;
- 120 ml 9% vinegar.
Preparation:
- Wash all leaves and greens. Peel the garlic.
- Remove seeds from hot peppers.
- After 8 hours of soaking, remove the cucumbers and trim the ends.
- Place in a large colander and pour over boiling water.
- Immediately after this, pour ice water again for 2 minutes.
- Place half of all the herbs, garlic, pepper and spices on the bottom of the jar.
- Next, pack the cucumbers tightly.
- Place the other half of the spices and herbs on top.
- Boil water in a saucepan.
- Add salt and sugar to it. Cook until completely dissolved.
- Fill brine jar.
- Pour vinegar and vodka on top.
- Cover the jar with a lid and place in a large saucepan to sterilize.
- Boil the cucumbers in a jar for about an hour.
- Roll up.
In tomato sauce
The recipe is for 10 liters of finished product. Tomato sauce is suitable both classic and with additives.
Ingredients:
- 5 kg of cucumbers;
- 200 ml tomato sauce;
- 1.5 liters of water;
- 100 ml 9% vinegar;
- 50 ml vegetable oil;
- 100 g sand;
- 250 g onions;
- 8 cloves of garlic;
- 60 g salt;
- 5 black peppercorns;
- 5 peas of allspice;
- Bay leaf;
- dill umbrellas.
Preparation:
- Peel the onion and cut into rings.
- Grind the garlic into a paste.
- Place dill, bay leaf and garlic pulp at the bottom of the jars.
- Then place the cucumbers tightly.
- Place onion rings on top.
- Mix water, sugar and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until the crystals are completely dissolved.
- Finally add vinegar.
- Pour the marinade into the jars, cover with lids and place in a large container with water.
- Bring water to a boil and sterilize jars for 15 or 45 minutes, depending on the volume of containers used.
- Remove the jars, close and cool.
Spiced
You will need 12 liter jars or 4 three-liter jars.
Ingredients:
- 10 kg of cucumbers;
- 500 g sugar;
- 400 g salt;
- 250 g dill;
- 20 g mustard seeds;
- 15 g tarragon greens;
- 10 cloves of garlic;
- 10 peas of allspice;
- 15 g grated horseradish root;
- 1.4 l 9% vinegar;
- 8 liters of water.
Preparation:
- Peel and chop the garlic.
- Wash the dill and tarragon and chop finely.
- Place horseradish, chopped garlic and herbs, mustard and allspice seeds on the bottom of the jars.
- Place the cucumbers tightly on top.
- Prepare the marinade in a saucepan. To do this, mix water, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and cook until they dissolve. Then pour in the vinegar. After boiling, remove from heat.
- Pour marinade over cucumbers.
- Cover the jars with lids.
- Place a large bowl or pan of water on the stove.
- Place jars in container. Bring to a boil and sterilize for 20 minutes.
- After this, roll up the jars.
How to remove bitterness before preservation
If you want to preserve cucumbers without preliminary long-term heat treatment, for example, by pickling them, then you should play it safe and take measures to get rid of bitterness.
Here are some ways:
- Soaking in a salty solution can partially remove the unpleasant taste. It is advisable to cut the fruit lengthwise and cut off the bases that attach the cucumbers to the stem.
- Soak overnight in cold water. Less effective than saline solution.
- Cucurbitacin accumulates in the highest concentration at the base of the fetus.Therefore, cutting off this part and rubbing the cut area helps. During this procedure, cucurbitacin will be released from the pulp in the form of a slight foam. After rubbing, rinse the fruits.
- For maximum effect, it is better to use all methods in turn. First, soak whole fruits in cold water, then carry out the rubbing procedure and finally pour in saline solution.
Where to use fresh bitter cucumbers
To be able to consume bitter cucumbers fresh, it is also advisable to soak them in water or a salty solution.
Important. Keep in mind that when soaked with salt, the fruits will acquire a corresponding salty taste.
Then you should remove the ends. The main thing is to cut off the dark green base. It has the greatest bitterness. It is also worth completely peeling the cucumbers. There is a high probability that this will completely remove the unpleasant taste.
Vinegar also has the effect of reducing the perceived bitterness. Therefore, you can prepare this salad from fresh bitter fruits: salt grated cucumbers, add ground black pepper, lemon juice, green onions and season with vinegar mixed with vegetable oil.
How to Prevent Bitterness When Growing
Cucurbitacin begins to be produced by the vegetable in stressful situations. These include:
- lack or excess of moisture;
- constant exposure to direct sunlight;
- lack of nitrogen and potassium fertilizing;
- watering with too cold water;
- seedling diseases;
- dense planting;
- night frosts.
In order for the harvest to be tasty, it is necessary to provide the plants with proper care: regularly water and fertilize, protect from the hot sun and weed.
The most resistant varieties of cucumbers that can withstand unfavorable conditions and do not change the taste: Ant, April, Zyatek, Ginga, Kuznechik, Masha, Gerasim, Maryina Roshcha, Kurazh, Egoza, Chistye Prudy, etc.
Unresistant varieties: Vyaznikovsky, Muromsky and Nezhinsky.
Tips and tricks
To make the cucumbers crispy and the rolls to last a long time, use these recommendations:
- Before canning, prepare containers for storage: thoroughly wash jars with lids and sterilize them in any way convenient for you (in the oven, in the microwave, over steam or in boiling water).
- Use coarse salt, it reduces the risk of jars exploding.
- It is better to close the jars with a special sealing machine. This will ensure the best seal, especially if you are new to this business.
- To roll bitter cucumbers, it is necessary to carry out heat treatment before or after placing them in a jar. This will remove the unpleasant taste.
- To prepare lightly salted cucumbers, you will need to remove the skin, again, to remove the bitterness.
Read also:
How to grow a cucumber for seeds and correctly collect the seed: step-by-step instructions.
How to grow “Courage” cucumbers on your plot and why they are good.
Let's sum it up
Don't despair if your cucumbers are bitter. Of course, you won’t be able to eat them fresh without adding vinegar or spices, but you can preserve the bitter fruits for the winter. After undergoing soaking and heat treatment, they taste exactly the same as regular cucumbers.