Bitter cucumbers

Finally I have plenty of cucumbers. So, of course, they taste terrible. Very bitter. I don't know the variety, I bought them at a flea market, with no thought that they would live. They were just labeled "cukes". They are very nice to look at, a straight "slicer", but I have to slice them very thin, mix with salad, and drown it in strong tasting dressing to be able to eat them.
Is there anything I can do?

*G*. I grew them, so I WILL eat them, unless I can get something else to do it for me.

Maybe the chickens....

or the cows.

Cat

just cut off your ends and rub the cut edges of the cucumber together until it gets foamy. It pulls out all the bitterness.

Well, that's worth a shot !! Thanks:))

Let me know how it turns out. Also, make sure they have plenty of water while they are developing, as the lack of water is one of the main causes of bitterness.

Blech :(. Oh well. They had water, drip system when there was no rain.

Maybe I didn't rub long enough....

Bitter cukes are related to heat, low water and over fertilizing. All of these factors make cukes produce cucurbiticins, the chemicals that makes cukes bitter. They are squashes and require evenly moist soil...not wet and then dry.

Try slicing and putting them in vinegar, water, salt, dill, peppercorns, garlic and, if you like, hot peppers. Place in the fridge. You don't have to can them and they'll last for months.

Though rubbing ends might remove some of the cucurbiticins from the weeping cut, it will not cure a bitter cuke. The bitterness is highest at the stem side and then everything under the skin. Start by removing the the stem end and peeling. peel away into the flesh. You can have a period of bitter cukes and then they will self-correct so don't discard the plant.

Thanks Maypop, that would explain it. It's been much hotter than usual (except today, which is lovely), so I guess that's it. Water has been pretty steady, and no fertilizer. I gave noticed some are not so bad. They're okay sliced thinly in salads.
I shall peel deeper:)