My Armenian cucumber vines keep producing zeppelins. I try to catch them when they're small, but they lurk in the foliage until they pop out looking like an elephant hiding behind a sapling.An overgrown Armenian cucumber tastes much like a small one. If you cut it up and scoop out the seeds, you can still eat it in a salad. I don't know about you, but I can only eat so many salads before I feel like a rabbit, so that doesn't use them all up.
I've tried them breaded and fried, a la summer squash. Not bad, but bland. Maybe with a spicy breading or dip they would be good. I plan on trying them in a stir fry sometime soon. I love cucumbers in stir fry, so I have high hopes.
Today I had a friend over for lunch and was planning to have a frittata, salad with fresh garden veggies and zucchini bread. When I got the zucchini out of the fridge, I discovered it had a soft spot. The trash can was my only alternative. Oh well. So I used Armenian cucumber instead of zucchini. Put it through the food processor, soft seeds and all.
The bread was yummy!
I'm going to try making Runge Pickles with them tonight.
Runge Pickles
½ Gallon Sliced Cucumbers
2 C Sugar
¼ C Canning Salt
2 C White Vinegar
2 Medium Onions, Sliced
1 Tbs Dried Crushed Red Pepper
½ tsp Powdered Alum
1 tsp Turmeric
Put everything except cucumbers into a kettle and boil. Cool. Put cucumbers into ½ gallon glass container, pour fluid over. Let stand, unrefrigerated, overnight. Chill and serve.
Ooh... that bread looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteIt is, but it's not my recipe to publicly post, so I'll e-mail it to you as long as you promise to keep it a secret...
ReplyDeleteGreat use of overgrown Cukes -- cukes for zukes.
ReplyDeletewonderful.
okay Wunx... how do I get you my email address so I can have the bread recipe??? I have the same problem with finding Zepplins lurking under big Elephant ear type leaves... OY!!! I need to find other things to do with them, because I cannot GIVE them away fast enough. I would be eternally grateful!
ReplyDeleteHey Creative Cooker -- Just send an e-mail to me wunx@computerlizards.com and I will send you the recipe.
ReplyDeleteHow were the runge pickles? And how long can they keep in refridgerator? I have the Armenian cucumber abundance plague as well-- I would love the recipe for the bread as well. sabbyj1@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi-I'm making Runge pickles and wondered if you put the onion slices in the jars or strain out before sealing.
ReplyDeleteHey Sabrina -- the Engineer and I both like onions, so they stay in the jars. I use big sweet onions, so the slices are fairly substantial.
ReplyDeleteGreat work.Really appreciable!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteWhat are Runge Pickles? Never heard of them. But, I just made a batch.
ReplyDeleteThat bread looks great.
ReplyDeleteThere are many cucumber-melon varieties out there that come in different colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. I grow many of these varieties and love how well they grow and how good they taste. Some of the darker ones are very easy to see before they grow too big.
Happy Gardening!
What to do with overgrown cucumbers........I did just like you recommended and made Runge Pickles. Glad I did. First time I made refrigerator pickles, they lasted in the frig for about 2 months, when we finished them off. Amazing taste, LOVE this recipe. I know it is December....and I am waiting for summer to roll round so I can make more of these!
ReplyDelete