How to Seed Cucumbers
Cucumbers have a dark green outer skin. Seeds are nestled inside the fruit and are exposed when you slice the cucumber open. Seeding cucumbers removes the seeds and watery pulp, which makes the produce more enjoyable in recipes such as salads or pastas. Cucumber seeds also are removed to grow new cucumbers the following year, but the cucumbers need to be grown and prepared properly before you can remove the seeds. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vegetable peeler
- Knife
- Spoon
- Bowl
- Glass jar
- Mesh colander
- Drying screens
- Airtight containers
Instructions
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Kitchen Preparation
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1
Remove the peel from the cucumber with a vegetable peeler. Move the vegetable peeler down the cucumber to remove the skin in long strips.
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2
Cut both of the ends off the cucumber.
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3
Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise. Insert a spoon at the end of the cucumber where the seeds start.
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4
Press the spoon into the seeds to scoop out the seeds and some of the pulp. Continue to scoop out the seeds until you remove them all.
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5
Place the seeds into a bowl and discard them.
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6
Prepare the cucumber by slicing or dicing it after you remove the seeds.
Garden Preparation
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7
Allow the cucumbers to mature on the vines until they become engorged and yellow.
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8
Remove the cucumbers once the vines die and then bring them indoors to allow them to dry away from direct sunlight.
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9
Slice the cucumbers open once they soften. Scoop out the seeds and allow them to ferment in a jar of water for five days. The water must cover the cucumber seeds completely.
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10
Rinse the seeds in a mesh colander. Dry the seeds on screens for at least three weeks.
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11
Store the cucumber seeds in an airtight container when the seeds snap in half once bent. Place the cucumber seeds in a cool and dark location.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Discard cucumbers if mold grows on them to protect your health.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
