Baby Cucumber / Gherkin - 500g

Description/Taste

Gherkin cucumbers are generally small, averaging 4 to 8 centimeters in length, and have a cylindrical, oblong, to ovoid shape with rounded ends. The skin is firm, textured, and dark to light green, sometimes covered in many bumps. Underneath the surface, the flesh is crisp, pale green, aqueous, and contains a few small, edible seeds. Gherkin cucumbers are known for their crunchy, juicy consistency and have a mild, green, and vegetable flavour.

Nutritional Value

Gherkin cucumbers are a good source of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and contains potassium, which is an electrolyte that can help regulate fluid levels in the body. The fruits also provide some fiber and smaller amounts of iron, magnesium, vitamins A and K, phosphorus, and folate.

Applications

Gherkin cucumbers are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as sautéing and stir-frying. The fruits can be consumed fresh and served with dips on appetizer plates, lightly sautéed with aromatics as a crisp side dish, tossed into green salads, or stir-fried with other vegetables. They can also be soaked in a sugar-based syrup and served as a sweet snack or dessert. In addition to using the fruits fresh or cooked, Gherkin cucumbers are more popularly pickled in a brine of various vinegar, herbs, and spices. Pickled Gherkins can be eaten as a snack, chopped and stirred into egg salad, minced into a relish, or layered into burgers and sandwiches. They can also be incorporated into soups, stews, and goulash. Gherkin cucumbers pair well with herbs such as dill, tarragon, and rosemary, garlic, onions, meats such as poultry, beef, bacon, pancetta, and lamb, seafood, potatoes, and tomatoes. Fresh Gherkin cucumbers will keep 1-2 weeks when stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.