With the weather turning summery, many will be turning to fresh, healthy veg like cucumbers – avoid this mistake
As we embrace the sunnier days ahead, fresh and wholesome meals like vibrant salads become the order of the day. There’s nothing quite as disappointing as reaching for a cucumber to add to your Greek salad or lettuce mix, only to find a squishy disappointment in the fridge.
Chris Hassall, a food storage and safety expert at Virtual College by Netex, highlights a widespread blunder that many salad aficionados are guilty of, resulting in prematurely spoiled cucumbers. But don’t fret – with a tweak to your storage habits, you can dramatically increase their longevity and crunch.
How to keep cucumbers fresh
Chris recommended giving uncut cucumbers a good wash under cool water and then patting them dry with some kitchen roll to ward off any lingering nasties.
He shared the main way to stop mushiness – keeping the cucumbers in kitchen paper before chilling them in the fridge, which will sop up any unwanted dampness, reports the Express.
Additionally, the expert says the veg drawer should be the go-to spot for storing ingredients such as cucumbers and tomatoes, as this slightly more humid part of the fridge helps maintain crispiness.
A test from The Kitchn involved trying out the recommended paper towel technique while also tossing the ensconced cucumber into a loosely tied carrier bag. They shared their verdict: “On day seven, most of the cucumbers were still firm and showed no signs of deterioration.”
The following day, the conventional cucumber began to show some soft spots at the ends, but overall they remained fairly robust. By day 10, however, all of the cucumbers had developed noticeable squishy areas.
“Prepping the cucumbers for this technique was easy, and the cucumbers stayed fresh for a good amount of time. It’s a solid method that will keep your cukes fresh for a good bit of time.”
They concluded their findings by saying: “Moisture loss, as well as moisture buildup, seems to contribute most to spoilage. Shielding cucumbers in some way – wrapping in paper towels, plastic wrap, or placing in a bag – appears to offer the longest protection.”
How to keep salads fresh
Chris also shared a tip for salad enthusiasts, suggesting they should refrain from mixing salad ingredients until it’s time to eat. He explained: “While combining salad items is safe to do so, it can cause food items to go soggy quickly, especially if you’ve topped the salad with a dressing.
“To avoid this, keep salad items such as greens, vegetables and proteins in separate containers or bags before assembling the salad to keep it fresher for longer. While leaves don’t need to be prepared, slice other salad items such as cucumber and peppers before placing them in a food bag or an airtight container.”
He further advised on how to maintain the freshness of cucumber slices, recommending: “To prevent cucumbers from drying out, cover the slices in water – just make sure to change the water every two to three days to keep them fresh. Keep salad dressing in a separate container too and add just before serving, to prevent it from causing the salad to go limp.”