What are stewed cucumbers?
Behind it are cucumbers of the type Cucumis sativus, which are mainly grown in the open air and partly marketed as land cucumber. They grow small and thick and develop a leathery skin that is unsuitable for consumption due to its consistency and bitter substances. The taste of these cucumbers is more intense than the aroma of typical cucumber. Because their pulp has a low water content, it does not disintegrate easily when cooked. In the 1970s, stewed cucumber was a popular ingredient in cooked dishes.
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Cultivate stewed cucumbers
The 'Delikatess' variety is a common type of land cucumber that you can cultivate in your garden. However, the care requires a little more attention, because the plants are very demanding.
requirements
Land cucumbers are heavy eaters that thrive on nutrient-rich soil. The subsoil is ideally sandy and humus and has been prepared with compost. The cucurbits love a location in full sun where the fruits are evenly sunbathed.
They take up a lot of space, because their plant mass extends up to one square meter. Are there climbing aids like Wire mesh(€ 65.90 at Amazon *) available, the vegetable grows in a vertical direction. Because of the large leaves, stewed cucumbers evaporate excessive amounts of water. Regular watering is essential during the summer.
Cultivation
Sow the seeds in from mid-April Growing pots(€ 16.68 at Amazon *) that you've filled with a nutrient-poor substrate. The seeds will germinate within the next ten days when temperatures are around 20 degrees. Keep the soil evenly moist without causing waterlogging. A foil ensures constant humidity.
Since the cucurbits are sensitive to the cold and love warmth, the young plants are only allowed to move into the garden after the ice saints from mid-May. Here they can cope with heat waves without any problems, provided you have an adequate water supply. Occasional fertilization with nettle liquid manure and liquid fertilizer will promote growth.
Take advantage of the harvest season
Stewed cucumbers are in season from June to September, with the main harvest usually starting in July. At this early stage, the peel is still completely green and not very bitter, so you can use the vegetables like cucumber. As it ripens, light stripes develop on the skin, which becomes firmer and leatherier. When fully ripe, the fruits reach a thickness of eight centimeters. They are cylindrical and grow up to 15 centimeters long.
Notes on freshness:
- Pick cucumbers when the peel is smooth and the ends firm
- The shelf life is about a week in the refrigerator
- soft spots and wrinkles indicate storage for too long
