[Phoenix]

Hiya guys, i picked my first cucumber yday, but its got large seeds init... is this normal?

[John]

Hi Phoenix
Try picking them smaller - ?
Always difficult to work out when things are 'peak' isn't it?

[mellowmick]

Depends what variety it is. The ones I grew had little white protuberances on them, like the bumps on a gherkin. When they all disappeared, I picked it and it was fine.

[fatgit]

It seems I got 2 varieties in my packet from the poundshop, one only seems to grow to about 15-20cm and has spikes on (they brush off fairly easily), and the others grow larger but have big black blobs all over.

The ones with the blobs (I'll find the names eventually ),  do have quite large seeds in, but are absolutely delicious.

A friend gave me a huge (18inches in length), bright yellow cucumber from his greenhouse, which also had large seeds in, but again, is perfectly edible, and much tastier than anything from the supermarket

[ang]

we've picked quite a few supermarket size, some smaller and some gigantic (these were hiding at the back of the tub we'd put them in) all had seeds and all tasted just like cucumbers.

[Phoenix]

thanks guys

[Oliver]

we've picked quite a few supermarket size, some smaller and some gigantic (these were hiding at the back of the tub we'd put them in) all had seeds and all tasted just like cucumbers.

She went out to look at the Spring Onions and 'found' a gigantic cucumber - it is about 20" long and 4" in diameter! there is another like it in the polytunnel!

If they taste OK (not bitter) then she will make them into cubumber and onion relish. they will probably fill 5 smallish jars - ready for Christmas presents.

[noshed]

Relish sounds good - what's the recipe?

[Biscombe]

This will keep us all busy! we have 8 cucumbers in the fridge, gotta do something!!!

CUCUMBER RELISH

Ingredients

4 cups ground, unpeeled cucumbers (about 4)
1 cup ground green pepper (about 2)
½ cup ground red pepper (about 1)
3 cups ground onions
3 cups finely diced celery
¼ cup salt
3 ½ cups sugar
2 cups white vinegar (we use cider vinegar)
1 tablespoon celery seeds
1 tablespoon mustard seeds


Use coarse blade on grinder, combine all vegetables in large bowl, sprinkle with salt.

Cover with cold water, let stand 4 hours, drain thoroughly in colander, press out all excess liquid.

Combine sugar, vinegar, celery seed and mustard seed.

Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved.

Stir in drained vegetables, simmer 10 minutes.

Pack into jars to within ½ inch of the top.

Put on cap, screw band firmly tight.

Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes.

Yields 5-6 pints.

[John]

Thanks Biscombe - can I put that in the recipes section?

[Biscombe]

Of course you can! hows the cat doing??

[John]

Thanks
Mr Cigs continues to fight a retreat, I'm afraid. He can't properly metabolise his food and the poor chap is on 4 pills a day. The vet says we'll be lucky to keep him past Christmas.  Still, as long as he wants to keep going, I'll support him.