THE ENTICING CUCUMBER

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 506, 4 March 1949, Page 22

THE ENTICING CUCUMBER

W people can resist the appeal of fresh and crisp cucum-ber-but take note of the word "crisp.". Cucumber which has been: sliced and left soaking in vinegar for 24 hours will be tough--and indigestible. It is best to peel and slice them only a half-hour before meal-time, and leave them in a tilted dish so that the liquid may drain off; then sprinkle with Pepper and a little vinegar. One Link in the Daisy Chain, whose digestion was not equal to the ordinary cucumber, told me that she peels them, scores the sides with a fork, slices finely, and then puts the slices into a bowl and covers with a little cream (or top milk). She turns the slices occasionally with a silver fork, and eats them after an hour or so, without vinegar. In any case, it is better for each individual to add his own vinegar, for soaking really spoils the delicacy. Freshly-pulled cucumber simply peeled and eaten with bread and butter and, perhaps, cheese, is really delicious, but for this it is necessary to grow your own-or have your neighbour grow them-as they should be straight off the vine. People often ask whether cucumbers are more easily digested if sliced and sprinkled with salt and allowed to stand some time before serving. The answer given by an American authority is this: "There is no evidence that salt makes cucumbers easier to digest. Salt draws water from the cells and make the cucumbers limp’ and unappetising. This water contains valuable minerals and vitamins, which would. be lost." Cucumber Sauce This is delightful with cold meat. Peel and grate a cucumber, and add it with 4% teaspoon mustard and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley to 1 cup of good mayonnaise, Serve on slices of cold meat, Cucumber and Fish This is a cool and pleasant dish in hot weather. Note that the cucumber is not previously put into vinegar. Into a casserole or pie-dish cut up schnapper, mullet or other fish, into suitably sized pieces, sprinkle with chopped onion, add a little spice, a few cloves and peppercorns, and cover with vinegar. Cover with lid or greased paper, and bake in a moderate oven till cooked-about half an hour, Leave till cold, lift out fish, without breaking, into individual plates, garnish with lemon and strain the liquor over. Eat with freshly-sliced cucumber, v4 Greek Slippers Select short, thick cucumbers, Parboil them gently in slightly salted water until about half-done. Then cut them in halves, lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Have ready a stuffing made by mixing together 112 cups of finely chopped (or minced) cooked meat, 4% cup of canned spaghetti in tomato sauce (bought at grocer’s), % cup breadcrumbs, pepper and salt to taste, 1 table-, spoon butter (mixed with the

crumbs), and a begten egg to bind all together, You can vary this mixture by using stewed tomatoes for the spaghetti, but the latter adds to the value. Fill the halved cucumbers with this mixture, piling it up high, and sprinkle with more breadcrumbs, and put a tiny dab of butter on each. Arrange the "slippers" in a casserole and bake till browned and nicely cooked, approximately 44 hour. Cucumber Relish This was sent by a Link with the pseudonym, of "Hopey.". One pound apples (peel before weighing); 114]b. onions; 142lb. cucumbers (do not peel before weighing); 11b. sugar; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1 dessertspoon curry powder; 1 LL ~

pint vinegar; 20z.-salt. Mince apples and cook them in the vinegar. When soft, add the sugar, pepper, salt and onions. Cook this till soft; add the minced cucumber, and boil about 5 minutes, To colour, add 2 tablespoons turmeric, Pickled ‘Cucumbers In a small barrel or stone jar, put a thin layer of salt and sugar, then grape leaves. Now put the cucumbers-do not cut or skin them. Repeat till jar is full. Seal well, and the pickle will be ready in about 2 months. Cucumber Chutney . ’ Four pounds cucumbers; 41b. apples; 4lb. onions; loz, garlic; 120z. raisins; 2lb. sugar; loz, cloves; 40z. preserved ginger; loz. powdered peppercorns; loz. cayenne (or less), Cut up cucumber, sprinkle with salt, and leave overnight. Pour liquid off. Cut up other fruits, etc,, finely; mix with strained cucumber, and other ingredients, Covet with vinegar and boil 1 hour,