Why does my cucumber have thorns?

Cucumbers are related to other cucumbers and melons. The spikes are a common adaptation in many unrelated fruits, probably to deter animals from eating them until the fruit is fully ripe, at which point the spikes have rubbed off or the fruit has split open.

Why do cucumbers have bumps on them?

“They’re just variations from fruit to fruit.” He also points out that the bumps are quite pronounced when the cucumbers are immature, but as the fruit (yep, cucumbers are technically a fruit) develops and expands, it rises around the bumps, sort of swallowing them up.

Why do pickles go cloudy?

A cloudy appearance or a white sediment may indicate the use of table salt rather than canning or pickling salt. Yeast develops and settles to the bottom of the jar. It may be a normal reaction during fermentation caused by bacteria. If the pickles are soft, they are spoiled from the yeast fermentation.

Can I eat pickling cucumbers raw?

Kirby (or Pickling) Cucumbers: Short, oftentimes bumpy, these vary in color from yellow to dark green. They are good to eat raw, but they’re especially ideal for pickling. Sometimes bumpy, and with thin skins, they are ideal for eating raw.

Can I eat bumpy cucumber?

Kirby cucumbers are usually short and they’re always bumpy. They have a range of skin color from yellow to dark green. Kirbys are wonderfully crunchy for eating raw, but flavorful enough to be perfect for pickling too.

Are cloudy pickles safe to eat?

In nonfermented pickles (fresh pack), cloudiness might indicate spoilage. If these signs are absent, the pickles are safe to eat. Sometimes the fillers (anti-caking agents) in regular table salt may cause slight cloudiness, so always use pickling salt. Hard water might also cause cloudiness.

Why are my pickles fizzy?

Unsurprisingly, when you open a container of fermented pickles, the lid will pop, and the brine will fizz. So fizzing from the buildup of carbon dioxide is normal—and expected—in fermented pickles.

How do you get prickles out of cucumbers?

Some of them, particularly pickling varieties, are prickly. If the cucumbers have a lot of spines, remove them by rubbing a cloth or a soft vegetable brush along the length of the fruit. The burpless varieties of cucumbers are susceptible to bruising.

What is the difference between pickling and slicing cucumbers?

The slicing varieties are usually less prickly while the pickling types are spinier. Native to India, cucumbers may have become spiny for the same reason that some animals are camouflaged or have horns…to protect themselves from predators. This is no doubt the case with cucumbers.

Can You peel a cucumber with prickles?

The good news is that you can always peel a cucumber if the cucumber prickles are on the large side. Most prickly cucumber fruit is just that, covered with minor hairy prickles. For these, a good washing will probably remove the prickles.

Why do cucumbers have little hairs on them?

Some might have tiny little hairs and others all out spines. The slicing varieties are usually less prickly while the pickling types are spinier. Native to India, cucumbers may have become spiny for the same reason that some animals are camouflaged or have horns…to protect themselves from predators.

How far apart do you plant cucumbers for pickling?

For pickling cucumbers, space 8 to 12 inches (20-31 cm.) apart in rows 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) apart. If direct sowing, place two to three seeds per hill and then thin out the weakest. Water deeply and regularly and fertilize.