Cucumbers are one of the most refreshing veggies that you can enjoy in raw form. That’s because it is a water-based vegetable and has a mild flavor, which makes it a great addition to summer salads. In addition, the cucumbers go well in smoothies and soups. Not to forget, they can be mixed with tomatoes, hot peppers, and corn to make salsa. Irrespective of how you want to consume cucumbers, they have to be peeled. A peeler is one of the quickest ways of peeling the cucumbers, but if you don’t have a peeler, we are sharing another guide with you!
How To Peel A Cucumber Without A Peeler?
Peeling The Cucumbers Without A Peeler
A peeler is a quick and efficient way of peeling the cucumbers but you can always use your regular kitchen knife as well. However, if you don’t have experience using the knife for peeling the cucumbers, we are sharing the step-by-step guide for you!
- Washing The Cucumbers
The first step of peeling the cucumbers is to wash the cucumbers. To be honest, it can be tempting not to wash the veggies when you purchase them but their skin can be hard and dirty, which is why cleaning is important. For instance, if you purchased the cucumbers from the grocery store, you don’t have an idea how many people handled the cucumbers before they came home with you. For this reason, you have to wash and rinse the cucumbers thoroughly.
As far as the correct way of washing the cucumbers is concerned, you can run it over the cold water and use your fingers to scrub the cucumber skin gently. In addition, many people use vinegar for rinsing the cucumber as it helps overcome the bitter flavor. In case you use vinegar, make sure to run cucumbers under cold water for a few minutes to remove the acidity of the vinegar.
- Drying The Cucumbers
Now that you are done washing the cucumbers, the next step is to dry the cucumbers. This is because if you don’t dry the cucumbers, the skin will become slippery, which makes it challenging to complete the peeling process. It is recommended that you use a paper towel to dry the cucumbers.
- Cutting Off The Tips Of Cucumbers
The third step is to cut off the cucumbers’ tips before you finally start peeling. If you are wondering why cutting the tips is important, it is done to make sure the cucumber remains stable during the peeling [process – it makes the handling more convenient. Keep in mind that cutting off the tips is an optional step and you can also cut the ends once you’ve peeled the cucumbers but pre-peeling cutting is recommended to ensure easier handling.
- Peeling The Cucumbers
The last step is to peel the cucumbers. So, if you are left-handed, you have to pick the cucumber in the right hand to have better control over the cucumber, and vice versa. Now, put the blade on the top edge of the cucumber and run the knife along the edge of your cucumber in a length. Make sure that you don’t dig too deeper because you only want to peel off the skin. Also, if you are new to using a knife for peeling the cucumber, you should go slowly to make sure the knife doesn’t run too deep.
Should You Really Peel The Cucumbers?
If you want to eat the cucumber as a snack, you don’t need to peel it as it’s not a necessity. However, thorough washing is necessary. However, if you have to prepare salsa or salad, it’s recommended that you peel the cucumbers and cut them into small cubes before you mix them with other ingredients. This is important because the cucumber skin is usually thick and has a bitter flavor, which adversely impacts the eating experience. In simpler words, peeling the cucumbers is recommended if you cannot take the slightly bitter undertones or if the bitter flavor won’t go well in the food.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that peeling the cucumbers is recommended because you won’t have to worry about the bitter tones of the cucumber skin. So, it’s time you use a sharp knife to peel the cucumbers!