Active Low-Carber Forums
Atkins diet and low carb discussion provided free for information only, not as medical advice.
Home Plans Tips Recipes Tools Stories Studies Products
Active Low-Carber Forums
A sugar-free zone


Welcome to the Active Low-Carber Forums.
Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!

Go Back   Active Low-Carber Forums > Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Kitchen: Low-Carb Recipes > Kitchen Talk
User Name
Password
FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read Search Gallery My P.L.A.N. Survey


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   ^
Old Fri, Jun-16-17, 15:03
PilotGal PilotGal is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 36,355
 
Plan: KetoCarnivore
Stats: 206.6/178/160 Female 5'7
BF:awesome
Progress: 61%
Location: USA
Default Cucumbers

Hi, everyone.

my neighbor brought over his first harvest of cucumbers to me and I made a cucumber salad. Problem is they're really bitter.
Do any of you know whether there is a way to tell if a cucumber is going to be bitter or not?

TIA
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2   ^
Old Sat, Jun-17-17, 06:49
bluesinger's Avatar
bluesinger bluesinger is offline
Doing My Best
Posts: 4,924
 
Plan: LC/CancerRecovery
Stats: 170/135/130 Female 62 inches
BF:24%
Progress: 88%
Location: Nevada Desert, USA
Default

I never ate "raw" cukes growing up. They were all bitter, so the Southern way was a quick pickle: soak in salt water with ice, add raw onions along with it, then after some time add vinegar and sugar, serve on table in the liquid as a salad.

What a shock it was for me when I became an adult and had my first English Cucumber and discovered I could eat them fresh and raw. Yum.

I would never try anything other than hydroponic cukes raw, even today. I think (but don't know) that the others are all bitter.
Reply With Quote
  #3   ^
Old Sat, Jun-17-17, 07:02
Just Jo's Avatar
Just Jo Just Jo is offline
A'72 Lifer Hard Core
Posts: 15,566
 
Plan: A'72 Induction Lifer + IF
Stats: 265/114/130 Female 5'4"
BF:Not so much now!
Progress: 112%
Location: South Central New Mexico
Default

I have no idea how to tell if cukes are gonna be bitter or not, but I grew up doing something similar to what blues does.

Peel and slice cukes thinly into a bowl, add lots of salt; cover and set in friggie overnight. Drain and rinse well, add favorite salad dressing and enjoy! When I lived in Germany, the Germans would make a dressing with sour cream and fresh dill. Being French, I always have mine with a homemade garlic vinaigrette and I don't think I've ever had a "bitter" cuke...
Reply With Quote
  #4   ^
Old Sat, Jun-17-17, 07:11
cotonpal's Avatar
cotonpal cotonpal is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 5,283
 
Plan: very low carb real food
Stats: 245/125/135 Female 62
BF:
Progress: 109%
Location: Vermont
Default

I have some cucumbers plants growing in my porch garden. They are no where near ready (through carelessness the dog was able to eat my first seedlings which I then replanted). I have tried out growing a few varieties this year. I plan to now pay attention to the issue of bitterness and the effect of preparation.

Jean
Reply With Quote
  #5   ^
Old Sat, Jun-17-17, 09:46
Bonnie OFS Bonnie OFS is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,573
 
Plan: Dr. Bernstein
Stats: 188/150/135 Female 5 ft 4 inches
BF:
Progress: 72%
Location: NE WA
Default

Sometimes it's just the peel. I have to peel store-bought cukes, but rarely farmer's market cukes. I don't know if it's how they're grown or age - the ones in the store would be older.
Reply With Quote
  #6   ^
Old Sat, Jun-17-17, 14:07
robynsnest's Avatar
robynsnest robynsnest is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,146
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 336/286/199 Female 5'11"
BF:Losing it....
Progress: 36%
Location: Canada ay?
Default

cut off the end and rub in a circular motion....there will be a bitter scuz, rinse and enjoy!!
Reply With Quote
  #7   ^
Old Mon, Jun-19-17, 03:29
Kristine's Avatar
Kristine Kristine is offline
Forum Moderator
Posts: 25,581
 
Plan: Primal/P:E
Stats: 171/146/150 Female 5'7"
BF:
Progress: 119%
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Default

I had this happen a couple of years ago, half way through the season. The first cucumbers were delicious. Then all of the sudden, they were all disgustingly bitter. Apparently, it happens when the plant becomes too stressed - the weather gets too hot, uneven watering, etc. Once the plant starts producing the cucurbitacins that cause this, it's permanent. There are some varieties that are more prone to this reaction than others. If I find one that tolerates harsh condition (and operator error/neglect ) I'll keep planting it.

If it happens to me again, I'll give up on them and pull the plants out of the ground. Maybe I'll try the salt trick mentioned here, but I had to literally spit it out when I tasted it.
Reply With Quote
  #8   ^
Old Mon, Jun-19-17, 11:20
VLC.MD VLC.MD is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 220
 
Plan: Atkins/LCHF
Stats: 209/185/185 Male 69
BF:reducing
Progress: 100%
Location: Toronto, Canada
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PilotGal
Hi, everyone.
my neighbor brought over his first harvest of cucumbers to me and I made a cucumber salad. Problem is they're really bitter.

Use a potato peeler and get rid of the green stuff ?
I dont think the white is bitter.

or if you want some of the vitamins in the green stuff ... peel off 2/3rds of the green stuff ?
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:49.


Copyright © 2000-2024 Active Low-Carber Forums @ forum.lowcarber.org
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.