farmers market question

[Susann]

At the farmers market today, I found something called a lemon cucumber. It is round and about the size of a tennis ball. I think it is Asian. Is anyone familiar with this? I got one just to try it, but i haven't taken the plunge yet!

[Shirley Panek]

Susann -

I haven't tried them, but my Shepherd's Seed Catalog says they have a mild and crunchy texture and non-bitter skins. They're good as slicers and among the best-tasting pickles (both sweet and dill) we've made.

I've moved around so much lately, I haven't had a real garden, but have marked this one to try.

Let us know how it is! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Beth]

We first encountered lemon Cucumbers at farmers markets too. They taste much like a reg cuke, possibly a bit sweeter or milder...not lemony. We grew them in CA, and planted some in TX last year, but it was all new dirt and compost. Too much nitrogen gave us lush plants a almost no fruit. Didn't see any this year, but we'll definitely try growing them again (haven't seen them in stores here, and no farmers markets). I haven't tried pickling any, but sounds like a good idea. Try a couple...however you would any other cuke, even a salad themselves with a vinagrete, and at farmers markets, I've found that a lot of vendors will let you sample something to encourage sales. Ask.

[Susann]

Well, today we tried the lemon cucumber. It tasted...just like a cucumber! The outside looks very different, but the inside looks exactly like the cucumbers we are used to. The only difference was it seemed to have more seeds.

[Beth]

I think the seeds are like other cukes -- the more mature they are, the more seeds. I want the lemon cukes to be light yellow, but not a strong or golden yellow. Just not green. I think they had a delicate flavor, and I don't remember the peels getting bitter like some out of our garden this year.