Kirby Cucumber Storage

I love the Kirby Cucumbers (I've seen them called "Pickling" or "Salad" cukes in the midwest) available over the Summer, but they tend to get slimy in the fridge quickly if not consumed within days.

Does anyone have a good method of storing this type of Cuke in the fridge? In plastic? No plastic? In a wet paper towel? I don't use them for Pickling so "in liquid & jarred" is not my option here.

Thanks for the answers.

storage-method cucumbers

Best Answer

According to the New Cookbook, from Better Homes and Gardens (p. 106), pickling cucumbers should be picked and used in the same day. Standard salad cucumbers last about ten days. Trying to get from 1 to 10 is a bit of a stretch, and storage considerations can vary.

Some people recommend the standard washing and wrapping in paper towel, others indicate plastic bagging without washing. The slime and mushiness seems to be a result of the loss of moisture through the skin. Perspiration is inhibited by waxing, this is likely the reason behind the prohibition on washing (assuming you have a waxed cuke). If you are getting the cuke from a stand it is likely fresh*er* and unwaxed.

First, ensure you are picking ideal cucumbers by verifying that the skin and flesh feels firm and without shriveling or soft spots. Then, in my experience with unwaxed cukes, you will likely get 3-5 days with them stored in a breathable container (to prevent pooling of moisture, and slime; a similar humidity issues arise from the high perspiration of grapes). Waxed, which seem unlikely to encounter, stored in a plastic bag it may last longer.

A breathable container could be one of the paperboard crates they come in (that's how I keep them), a basket, maybe a plastic perforated grape bag, or perhaps a so-called Green Bag ("breathable" bags, however absorbing ethylene is not terribly necessary here).

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Quick Answer about "Kirby Cucumber Storage"

Wrap each cucumber individually in paper towels.

Place them in a zip-top bag and seal tightly.

Store up to one week in the fridge.

How do you store Kirby cucumbers?

Wrap individual whole cucumbers in a paper towel to soak up the water the cucumber releases and prevent them from getting mushy. Place the cucumbers in a storage container. Place the wrapped cucumbers in a zip-top bag or in an airtight container to keep them from drying out. Put the cucumbers in the crisper drawer.

How long do Kirby cucumbers last?

Fresh cucumbers can last about two weeks if stored properly. They can be very specific about storage temperature, lasting longest when stored at 55 degrees F.

Should cucumbers be refrigerated or left on the counter?

So, What's the Best Way to Store Whole Cucumbers? Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last for about two days.

Growing Cucumbers in a Container

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Images: Ryutaro Tsukata, Tom Fisk, Gustavo Fring, Gustavo Fring