Is it possible to preserve bitter cucumbers: influence on flavor and spin recipes

It sometimes happens that the entire cucumber crop tastes bitter. Of course, I really don't want to eat them like that, but it's a pity to throw them away. The main reason for the appearance of a bitter taste is errors in agricultural technology.

This article will show you how to pickle bitter fruits and what you can do with them raw. Let's take a closer look at what reasons could serve to change the taste of cucumbers.

Is it possible to preserve bitter cucumbers

The substance cucurbitacin is responsible for the bitterness in cucumbers. During heat treatment, it breaks down, and with it an unpleasant aftertaste goes away. Therefore, bitter cucumbers are not only possible, but also must be preserved. They taste exactly the same 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 anti-tumor effects. Therefore, nothing bad will happen if you eat a couple of cucumbers with a bitter taste.

Bitter cucumber spin recipes

Bitter fruits are preserved in the same way as ordinary ones. But there are a couple of nuances. Before proceeding directly to cooking, 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

Cucumbers according to this recipe are very spicy and crispy. You will need a three-liter jar.

Ingredients:

• 2 kg of cucumbers;
• 6 cloves of garlic;
• 30 peas of black pepper;
• 3 pods of red hot pepper;
• 1 horseradish sheet;
• 3 black currant leaves;
• 2 bay leaves;
• 10 coriander seeds;
• 1 sprig of tarragon;
• 1 sprig of basil;
• 3 tbsp. l. vodka;
• 1.3 l of water;
• 75 g salt;
• 150 g sugar;
• 120 ml 9% vinegar.

Preparation:

1. Wash all leaves and herbs. Peel the garlic.
2. Remove seeds from hot pepper.
3. After 8 hours of soaking, remove the cucumbers and trim the ends.
4. Place in a large colander and pour over with boiling water.
5. Immediately after that, pour again with ice water for 2 minutes.
6. Put half of all the herbs, garlic, pepper and spices at the bottom of the jar.
7. Next, place the cucumbers tightly.
8. Place the other half of the spices and herbs on top.
9. Boil water in a saucepan.
10. Pour salt and sugar into it. Cook until completely dissolved.
11. Fill brine jar.
12. Top with vinegar and vodka.
13. Cover the jar with a lid and place in a large pot to sterilize.
14. Boil cucumbers in a jar for about an hour.
15. Roll up.

In tomato sauce

The recipe is for 10 liters of the 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 of 9% vinegar;
• 50 ml of vegetable oil;
• 100 g of sand;
• 250 g of onions;
• 8 cloves of garlic;
• 60 g of salt;
• 5 black peppercorns;
• 5 allspice peas;
• Bay leaf;
• dill umbrellas.

Preparation:

1. Peel the onion and cut into rings.
2. Chop the garlic into gruel.
3. Put dill, bay leaf and garlic gruel at the bottom of the cans.
4. Then place the cucumbers tightly.
5. Place the onion rings on top.
6. In a saucepan, combine water, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and cook until the crystals are completely dissolved.
7. At the end, pour in the vinegar.
8. Pour marinade over the jars, cover with lids and place in a large container with water.
9. Bring water to a boil and sterilize the jars for 15 or 45 minutes, depending on the volume of the container used.
10. Remove the cans, close and cool.

With spices

You will need 12 liter cans or 4 three-liter cans.

Ingredients:

• 10 kg of cucumbers;
• 500 g sugar;
• 400 g of salt;
• 250 g of dill greens;
• 20 g mustard seeds;
• 15 g of tarragon greens;
• 10 cloves of garlic;
• 10 allspice peas;
• 15 g grated horseradish root;
• 1.4 liters of 9% vinegar;
• 8 liters of water.

Preparation:

1. Peel and chop the garlic.
2. Wash dill and tarragon and chop finely.
3. Put horseradish, chopped garlic and herbs, mustard seeds and allspice at the bottom of the cans.
4. Place cucumbers on top.
5. Prepare the marinade in a saucepan. To do this, mix water, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and cook until dissolved. Then pour in the vinegar. After boiling, remove from heat.
6. Pour the marinade over the cucumbers.
7. Cover the jars with lids.
8. Place a large basin or pot of water on the stove.
9. Put the jars in the container. Bring to a boil and sterilize for 20 minutes.
10. After that, roll up the banks.

How to remove bitterness before conservation

If you want to preserve cucumbers without preliminary long-term heat treatment, for example, by salting them, then you should play it safe and take measures to get rid of bitterness.

Here are some ways:

1. Soaking in a salty solution can partially remove the unpleasant taste. It is advisable to cut the fruit lengthwise and cut off the bases with which the cucumbers are attached to the stem.
2. Soaking for a day in cold water. Less effective than saline.
3. Cucurbitacin accumulates in the highest concentration in the base of the fetus. Therefore, cutting off this part and rubbing the cut site helps. During this procedure, cucurbitacin will be released from the pulp in the form of a slight foam. At the end of rubbing, rinse the fruits.
4. For maximum effect, it is better to use all methods in turn. First, soak the whole fruits in cold water, then carry out the rubbing procedure and at the end pour in saline.

Where to use fresh bitter cucumbers

So that you can eat fresh bitter cucumbers, it is also advisable to soak them in water or in a salty solution.

Important... Keep in mind that when soaked with salt, the fruit will acquire a corresponding salty taste.

Then the tips should be removed. The main thing is to cut off the dark green base. It has the greatest bitterness. You should also completely peel the cucumbers. Chances are good that this will completely remove the unpleasant taste.

Vinegar also has the effect of reducing the perceived bitterness. Therefore, you can prepare such a salad from fresh bitter fruits: salt the cucumbers grated on a coarse grater, add 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 supplements;
• watering with too cold water;
• seedling diseases;
• dense planting of plants;
• night frosts.

For the harvest to be tasty, it is necessary to provide the plants with proper care: water and fertilize regularly, protect from the hot sun and weed.

The most resistant varieties of cucumbers that withstand unfavorable conditions and do not change taste: Ant, Aprelsky, Zyatek, Ginga, Grasshopper, Masha, Gerasim, Maryina Roshcha, Courage, Egoza, Chistye Prudy, etc.

Unstable varieties: Vyaznikovsky, Muromsky and Nezhinsky.

Tips & Tricks

To make the cucumbers crisp and the seams to last a long time, use these recommendations:

1. Before canning, prepare the container for storage: wash the jars with lids thoroughly and sterilize in any way convenient for you (in the oven, in the microwave, over steam or in boiling water).
2. Use coarse salt to reduce the risk of cans exploding.
3. It is better to close the cans with a special seaming machine. This will provide the most tightness, especially if you are new to this business.
4. To roll up bitter cucumbers, it is imperative to heat treatment before or after placing them in a jar. This will remove the bad taste.
5. 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 cucumbers "Courage" on your site and why they are good.

The benefits, harms and calorie content of pickles.

Let's sum up

Do not despair if cucumbers are bitter. Of course, you won't be able to eat them fresh without adding vinegar or spices, but it will be possible to preserve the bitter fruits for the winter. After going through the procedures of soaking and heat treatment, they taste exactly like ordinary cucumbers.