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How to freeze fresh cucumbers for the winter
Fresh, crispy, juicy cucumbers delight us with their taste all summer long. Unfortunately, they are not stored for a long time, and I really want to feel the fresh cucumber aroma in the middle of winter! There is an easy way to keep vegetables fresh for a long time – freezing. Before freezing fresh cucumbers, it is important to prepare them correctly, and then in the middle of winter you can enjoy okroshka, vinaigrette and salads with fresh cucumbers.
Knowing how to freeze cucumbers for the winter, you can enjoy your favorite dishes all year round
Not any cucumbers are suitable for freezing – choose ripe, but not soft fruits with small seeds, without signs of spoilage and damage. Wash them and dry them with a paper or cotton towel before using them – excess moisture can impair the taste.
How to freeze cucumbers for the winter?
Freeze cucumbers should be immediately cut in a way that is more suitable for cooking. If you want to cook okroshka or vinaigrette, cut into cubes, for salad or sandwiches – into thin slices. Do not freeze whole fruits: defrosted cucumbers are almost impossible to chop.
Tip: If you like okroshka, try freezing diced cucumbers, radishes, and chopped dill in portioned bags.
Arrange the sliced cucumbers on a tray or baking sheet in one layer and place in the freezer overnight. When the pieces are completely frozen, transfer them to small containers or bags. You can immediately freeze them in bags, but in this case it will be much more difficult to separate the required amount from the frozen coma.
Defrosting cucumbers is best at room temperature, and after defrosting, drain the excess liquid. Of course, defrosted cucumbers will not crunch and darken a little, but they will retain their taste and aroma.
How to freeze cucumbers for beauty treatments?
If you are using cucumbers for lotions and masks, try freezing the cucumber juice.
Wash and dry the cucumbers; you do not need to peel them off.
Grind them on a fine grater or in a meat grinder.
Squeeze the juice out of the resulting gruel using cheesecloth or a very fine sieve.
Pour the cucumber juice into ice cube trays and place in the freezer.
Defrost one or two cubes at a time just before preparing the lotion or mask: cucumber juice helps tone the skin, lighten age spots and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Be sure to try this simple cucumber harvesting method to preserve the health and flavor of fresh vegetables for months.