Cucumbers are a staple in many a salad or sandwich, but they can quickly turn soft and soggy if not stored properly. A chef has revealed a nifty storage trick to help cucumber enthusiasts keep their fruit and veg crisp and fresh for an extended period.
Chef Kathleen Ashmore, known as @katcancook on TikTok, has shared a simple yet effective tip that promises to keep cucumbers fresh for up to 10 days.
In her video, she showcased some healthy and appetising cucumbers, stating: “These cucumbers are 10 days old. I’m going to show you how to store cucumbers so they stay nice, fresh, and crunchy and they don’t get soft in three days.”
Initially, Kat advises you to remove the packaging the cucumbers come in from the shop.
Whether boxed or wrapped in plastic, it needs to go. The food guru clarified, “The way that produce is transported is often not the way that produce should be stored.”
Kat then identifies two “enemies” of produce – oxygen and water, reports the Express.
As she dries the cucumbers with a paper towel in the video, she explains, “Too little or too much of either one is going to make them turn on you. Cucumbers are full of water so what we want to do is soak up the moisture.”
Illustrating her method for preserving salad produce, she says, “The first thing I’m going to do is take a silicone bag, or you can use a ziplock bag if that’s what you have.”
“We’re going to make my little paper towel sleeping bag and put the rinsed and dried cucumbers in the bag, seal it, and put it into the refrigerator.”
“The paper towel is going to help soak up excess moisture to keep your cucumbers fresh.”
One viewer humorously commented on the video, saying, “Problem is right after I do this I’m never opening that bag again.”
Another chimed in, adding, “I just buy them to do mould experiments in the veggie drawer.”
A third person suggested an alternative method, “I have found that baking paper works even better than paper towels. No idea why, but try it out.”