You've Been Storing Your Cucumbers All Wrong
How many times have you thrown out a cucumber because it turned to mush before you could use it? The place you normally store your cucumbers could be the problem. According to EatingWell, cucumbers will be perfectly fine sitting out on the counter for a couple of days, as long as you think you'll use them within that time. However, if you're the type who has the best intentions of eating a salad tonight, but tonight turns into next Wednesday, let's explore the next best option.
In order to stretch the lifespan of your cucumbers, wash, fully dry, and store them in the warmest area of your fridge, such as in the door or near the front. If you've already sliced the whole cucumber and only need half, fill an airtight container with water and store the cut slices in the fridge for up to a week (via EatingWell). Want to ensure you never throw out another cucumber? Read on.
How to stretch the shelf life of cucumbers
Cucumbers are 96 percent water, which is super healthy, but can also pose problems when it comes to proper storage, according to Brooklyn Farm Girl. For maximum longevity, the outlet suggests washing and drying cucumbers as soon as you get them home. You can then wrap them in a paper or tea towel and store in an open bag for air circulation. Keep your cucumbers away from any ethylene gas-producing produce, such as bananas, tomatoes, and melons, since these will cause cucumbers to go bad faster.
Only need a portion of your cucumber? In addition to the tip from EatingWell for storing cut slices, Brooklyn Farm Girl says you can place a damp (not wet) paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container and set your leftover cucumber portion on it, cut side down. Seal your container and place it in the middle-top and front of your refrigerator shelves; cucumbers stored this way should last a couple of days. If you continue to have issues with cucumbers going bad, you can freeze whole cucumbers and retain their flavor; but once defrosted, frozen cucumbers lose their crisp bite and are best used in smoothies or soups. According to EatingWell, whole cucumbers should last up to three months in the freezer.