cucumber inspiration please !

[OhDearNigel]

I have 6 huge Qs from our allotment - they must weigh nearly a pound each. Would like to pickle them or make a relish - anyone got any good recipes ? I've looked on the internet but couldn't find anything that really floated my boat

Chop the ends off the cucumbers, then using a peeler, peel off long strips off cucumber. Place the strips in a colander, put the colander over a bowl and sprinkle over 3tbsps of salt. Leave for 2 hours. Remove the strips and put them into a sterilised jar. Add 1tbsp of mustard seeds, 1 garlic clove and a sprig of coriander. Fill the jar up with white wine vinegar. Put the jar in the fridge and leave for 3-4 weeks before eating. It is delicious with fish and homemade burgers.

Give them away or enter them in a horticultural show? Or, my preference for my Grandmothers recipe:

One large cucumber, peeled, cut thinly, arranged attractively on a plate and sprinkled with salt and then

Throw it away

My mum makes this Delia recipe and it is gorgeous :)

Am waiting hopefully for my MIL to declare a glut and give me loads so I can get pickling!!

Not chutney but

slice in half legnthways, scoop out the seeds, stuff with rice, nuts and veg, bake for 20 mins.

This is the best potato salad in the world ever, and it uses a whole cucumber.

I do pickled cucumbers similar to CCL's

Gaspachio?

Tzatziki/raita?

Cucumber gin! Very refreshing with mint leaves and tonic. I can post the recipe if you like?

Pimms!

My sister makes cucumber jelly it's sweet to spread on toast etc my son loves it .... I can't bring myself to try it

My dad always made cucumbers and onion in vinegar. sounds disgusting but was actually quite nice in a salad.

Ihopeyoudance recipe please :) Sounds fab!

hendricks+tonic+cucumber= job done

Pickled cukes recipe above sounds good - mine involves slicing 8 large cukes + a large onion, put in bowl, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon salt, leave for 3 hours. Then drain without rinsing.

Bring to the boil 1.5 l vinegar, 150g sugar, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp mustard seed. Once boiling add the cukes/onion, bring back to the boil. As soon as it boils take off the heat and bottle into clean hot jars. Keep a month before eating.

Once you've done that, in two days time when you have ANOTHER six large cucumbers, then cucumber and courgette soup is very nice and uses lots of cukes quickly!

Right! Cucumber gin:
3 small cucumbers (so probably 1 and 1/2 supermarket size)
70cl gin (40% proof or above)

1. Peel cucumbers (make sure to get all of the green off or drink will be bitter) and slice lengthways. Take out seedy bit and chop into 2cm chunks.
2. Put in big kilner jar, add gin, seal and shake gently.
3. Leave for about a week in a Very cool, dark place, turning occasionally. Strain off the cucumber and bottle.

Can be drunk neat if very cold or mixed with tonicwith bruised mint leaves and lots of ice. A bit of Elderflower Cordial to this mix is lovely too. Really refreshing in hot weather (one would imagine.... )

make tzatziki by chopping the cucumber up small having removed the seedy core, salting them and letting liquid drain off them by putting them in a colander or sieve weighted with a plate.
mix them into a plain greek style yogurt with some finely chopped garlic and olive oil.
decorate with a few olives and a little more oil.
great with grilled meat or as a starter with some good bread.

cucumber gin it is :)

Cucumber spritzer

Peel cucumber, chop into chunks and pop in the blender with 250ml elderflower cordial. Blitz and strain into a jug. Repeat.

Add 1/2 a bottle of wine, mint leaves, some ice and top up with sparkling water.

Drink.