I had so many cucumbers last year that I finally started freezing them. Some are sliced (without skins) and some are chopped. Has anyone ever frozen cucumbers before? Will they be too mushy to use once they are thawed?? I would appreciate any ideas of how to use them now that they are frozen! Would love to be eating them! Thanks in advance.

-- Brenda in NC (CherokeeMaiden2@aol.com), August 18, 2001

Answers

Brenda, I would think they would be mussy when thawed out. I freeze zuchinni and it's always pretty soft when thawed out. Do you like pickles? If so here is an easy dill recipe:( works great for a few jars at a time) In a sauce pot bring to a boil 3 cups water, 1 cup vinegar and 3 tblsp. salt.( this will fill about 3 qt.jars and it can be doubled and tripled.) Place dill( a couple heads) , two cloves garlic( more if you like garlic) and small cukes into "Hot" sterilized quart jars. Pack them carefully so you can get lots into the jar. Pour hot liquid over cukes until it 1/4" from the rim of jar. Wipe rim clean and place a sterilized lid( pour boiling water over them and let sit for a few minutes) on and seal with a ring. Process these for 10 minutes in a hot water bath. Remove from water bath and place in a draft free place to cool. When sealed( the lid doesn't pop when pushed on) remove ring and wipe the jar clean. These will need to set for a few month to absorb the brine. Another way to eat them is to slice thin and place in sour cream, add salt and pepper to taste. I like them mixed with cherry tomatoes in a light vinegar brine( 1 cup water to 1/4 cup cider vinegar,rosemary, salt and pepper to taste. Hope this helps you out some. :o)

-- Kelle in MT. (kvent1729@aol.com), August 18, 2001.

Brenda: Jan Sears gave me this recipe earlier this month when I asked a similar question, I reposted her reply below. I tried this recipe and it's really good. I would think that even if your cukes are mushy it would still work since it gets blended.

For anyone with an over abundance of cucumbers I highly recommend this recipe I got from a friend. Cream of Cucumber Soup Yes hot C. soup delicious!!!!! Must be tried to be believed. 5 T. of BUTTER 3 cups of peeled, seeded & finely chopped cucumbers 1 large onion finely chopped 2 T. cornstarch lemon pepper to taste 2 cups of milk 1 T. of lemon juice 2 T. of lemon dill herb mix (dry) Melt butter in large saucepan. Add cucumbers & onion saute approx 10 min. Mix in remaining ingredients in order given. Heat & stir until it boils & thickens. Run through blender. May be frozen. To serve whisk in 1/4 c. of sour cream heat to simmering I also add a tin of pink salmon when heating. I make this in large batches & freeze in cottage cheese (2 cup size) containers which I save all year. Makes a great quick supper.

-- Jan Sears (jcsears@magma.ca), August 09, 2001.

-- Susan (smtroxel@socket.net), August 18, 2001.

Brenda - you might want to try this quick and easy recipe with your frozen cukes. My cousin makes it with fresh, but maybe this would 'firm' up (?) the mushiness. Semi-thaw the frozen cukes, place in quart jar with sliced onions and bell peppers (probably could add other veggies, as well). Pour equal amounts of white vinegar and water over with a small amount (1 tsp) of sugar added. Keep in fridge. I like vinegary taste, but if you prefer less, adjust. Just an idea.... let me know if it works, thanks. I also like to slice cukes and onions and soak in white vinegar for a summer salad. yancee

-- yancee (TX) (winter2b@yahoo.com), August 18, 2001.

Thanks ya'll,

These all sound good! I will try them all...Lord knows I've got enough cucumbers!! :-)

-- Brenda in NC (CherokeeMaiden2@aol.com), August 19, 2001.

I wouldn't freeze cukes alone. You will get a soden mess when they thaw and they won't be good for anything. There are some good frozen pickles out there, if you like that kind of thing. My favorite thing to do with tons of cukes is make hot dot relish! It is great in egg salad, potato salad, hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, etc. And you can make tons of it. Or you can try leaving them on your neighbors car seat :-)

-- Mary R. (cntryfolk@ime.net), August 19, 2001.