CUCUMBERS

When to Buy/In Season:
May – August

How to Select:
Look for: firm, well-shaped cucumbers with good, green color. Overmature cucumbers are dull or yellow and appear overgrown and puffy. Smaller variets of cucumbers are ideal for picking.

Organic Issues:
Cucumbers attract striped and spotted cucumber beetles, as well as several types of fungi that cause wilt and kill the vines. Conventional growers chemically treat for these. Organic growers use physical barriers, and typically grown wilt-resistant and fungus-resistant varieties.

Pesticide Issues:
EWG 2009 Dirty Dozen, cucumbers rank #19 for highest levels of pesticide residues

How to Store:
Fresh:
Refrigerate, use with 3 – 5 days

Cucmbers are sensitive to ethylene, formed naturally from certain other produce, so store away from

Apples
Apricots
Avocados
Bananas, unripe
Cantaloupe
Figs
Honeydew
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Tomatoes

Frozen:
To Freeze from fresh:

Peel and chop in food processor. Pack into plastic containers with tight fitting lids. Label and freeze.

Store: frozen cucumbers up to 6 months

Photo Source: nunbun

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