Slice of Life: Cucumbers Anyone?
Walking over to the cucumber plants, I paused to take a look. The plants were intertwined and quite healthy. It wasn't long until I discovered three cucumbers more than ready to be picked. Pulling the cucumbers I brought them into the house. I looked at them for a minute to decide what I should do with them. That's when I remembered my grandma used to keep cucumbers and onions in vinegar when I was a kid. Though at that time I could do without the onions, I could eat my weight in cucumbers. The more I thought about her cucumbers; the more I knew I just had to see if I could put together this tasty snack as my grandma had years ago.
Grabbing my iPad I searched Pinterest for a recipe. This didn't seem to yield a recipe I thought would work so I headed over to do a quick Google search. Finally I found a recipe that looked close: cucumber, onion, white vinegar, water, sugar and dill. Of course, checking my cupboard I realized I only had cider vinegar. I didn't feel like running into town to go to the store so cider vinegar would have to do. Cutting the cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes, I placed them into the bowl. Then combining the other ingredients I mixed them all together. I cut the sugar considerably as I couldn't imagine Grandma adding that much sugar to her cucumbers and onions.
Placing them in the refrigerator I waited a bit to give them a taste. Finally I opened the container to give them a try. Delicious! Not too far off of Grandma's recipe.
If I want more cucumbers, I guess I need to get busy and go out to tackle those weeds!
If you have a favorite recipe for cucumbers and onions, I'd love to hear about it.
No cucumber recipes here, just memories!! I LOVE cucumbers. It's a favorite food I shared with my dad! No one else in the house would even eat them, but most nights my mom would slice a cucumber for me and dad. We'd count the slices and divide them up equally...or one of us would sneak a slice or two before dinner. Ahhhh!!! Cucumbers!!! Need to get some today! Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteFunny, Michelle. I couldn't decide whether this slice should be about the memory or the moment. I left them side by side, but wonder how they would be different if I chose one or the other. Sounds like you have a few memories wrapped around cucumbers yourself.
DeleteI'm glad someone else shares my love of cucumbers. When I gave up diet soda I found cucumber water to be the perfect solution.
Thanks for stopping,
Cathy
Perfect Slice! My Grandma also made cucumbers that way!
ReplyDeleteThere were so many great things in my grandma's refrigerator.
DeleteI love that you found your story when you thought you had nothing to write and that it was a mixture of present and past.
ReplyDeleteI needs some work, but I was glad I managed to get something posted. It's a start.
DeleteI love cucumbers and onions! I could easily eat a whole one in one sitting. I like mine very sour so I use a two to one water/vinegar and no sugar! I always add additional salt and pepper as they are on my plate...might explain why my hands and ankles swell so much when I eat them. My grandma used to put oil in hers but I don't like them with the oil.
ReplyDeleteSad, but funny story. My grandma is 90 years old and has dementia. About two/three years ago, she wanted to make these for a family get-together. People started eating them and we knew they had a funny taste but could not figure out what it was. Come to find out she had accidentally put cinnamon in them. Of course, she didn't know what she had done, but we ate them anyway!
Leigh, a tear is sliding down my face as I read your post.. My mother suffered from dementia, too, and one day she wanted to make coffee for my husband and she used pepper instead of coffee.. You need a definite sense of humor to watch your loved one go through this daily struggle which is so hard to witness. You have to be able to laugh at these things as they only make your relative more dear to you.. (by the way, I am Cathy's mom)
DeleteI so enjoyed your slice about cucumbers...and grammie connections always move my heart.
ReplyDeleteGrammie Trites made sweet gherkin (sp?) pickles! The only kind I really like.
Mom actually used cider vinegar and not much sugar at all.. I don't remember tomatoes being a part of the recipe, but sure they only added to the flavor. When Cortney found her first cucumber she asked how to make them as I had them when she was here visiting. I told her to use cider vinegar, but she did not have that so she used white vinegar.. Guess she was right to do that.. Isn't it funny how certain things bring back memories??
ReplyDeleteOur vine plants got wiped out by the earlier monsoons of rain. I am envious of your cucumbers. It's been a great summer for tomatoes though :)
ReplyDelete