--- title: Cucumber Recipes For New Gardeners description: Did your quarantine garden leave you with too many cucumbers? Margaret Rose Realy shares simple ways to enjoy fresh garden bounty. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/cucumbers.jpg --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/cucumber-recipes-for-new-gardeners#) [HOME](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/home) # Cucumber Recipes For New Gardeners Aug 31, 2020 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/margaret-rose-realy-obl-osb) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/cucumbers.jpg) *Did your quarantine garden leave you with too many cucumbers? Margaret Rose Realy shares simple ways to enjoy fresh garden bounty.* For those who during the pandemic can shout, “We did it! We grew a garden!” there may be some hesitation on what to do with ALL the produce. Some of you may not be into the time — and the initial expense — of putting food by. When it comes to canning cucumbers, well, there are only so many dilled pickles one can eat. Here are some favorite recipes to give you a few options for consuming fresh cucumbers. Be sure to wash them well, removing the prickles on the skin, before preparation. #### **Cucumber Cheese Spread** 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/8 tsp. each: pepper, salt, onion salt (thyme or dill is optional) 1 T minced chives, or tops of green onion 2/3 c. cucumber, peeled and grated Combine all ingredients, and mix well. Refrigerate for about an hour or two before serving. This is wonderful spread on sandwiches, as a veggie dip, or with crackers. It’s yummy, and goes fast, but avoid the temptation to double and just make a second batch. #### **Fresh Cucumbers in Sour Cream Salad** Combine and set aside: ½ c. sour cream 1T apple cider vinegar 1 tsp. dry dill or 1 T fresh and diced 1 tsp. sugar or 1packet stevia (I’m not fond of the taste other artificial sweeteners give off when combined with the vinegar, though try others for yourself) ½ tsp. salt Thinly slice and toss together: 3 c. peeled cucumber, about 2 large. 1 c. sweet onion, Vidalia is best. For a stronger onion flavor, use red onions. Add dressing to cucumbers, mix well and chill for at least two hours. Keeps for no more than 3 days! #### **Bread & Butter Refrigerator Pickles** (Makes 4 pint jars) Combine in sauce pan: 2 ½ c. sugar 2 c. apple cider vinegar 1 ½ T Kosher salt 2 tsp. pickling spice mix 2 tsp. mustard seed 1 tsp. turmeric ½ tsp. red pepper flakes Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer for 5 minutes. Cut veggies: 2 lbs. cucumbers; 4 regular or 12-14 pickling size, thinly sliced (about 1/8”) 1 small red bell pepper, diced 1 medium Vidalia (or other sweet onion) diced Combine veggies, pack into warm jars or any glass container that seals well. Slowly pour solution in to jars leaving about ¼” head space. Gently ‘stir’ each jar to release any air bubbles. Attach lids and refrigerate 3-5 days. Gently shake jars once a day to help blend seasonings. Keeps for up to 2 months.   > [3 simple ways to enjoy garden-fresh cucumbers #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/y5Btu) --- Copyright 2020 Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB Image: [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/images/id-685704/) (2015) ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcucumber-recipes-for-new-gardeners%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcucumber-recipes-for-new-gardeners%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcucumber-recipes-for-new-gardeners%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Cucumber%20Recipes%20For%20New%20Gardeners) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcucumber-recipes-for-new-gardeners%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fcucumber-recipes-for-new-gardeners%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Margaret%20Rose%20Realy%202022.jpg) ### [Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/margaret-rose-realy-obl-osb) Margaret Rose Realy, Obl. OSB lives an eremitic life and authored [A Garden Catechism](https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Catechism-Plants-Christian-Tradition/dp/1681925567), [A Catholic Gardener’s Spiritual Almanac](http://www.amazon.com/Catholic-Gardeners-Spiritual-Almanac-Cultivating/dp/1594714843/linkCode=as2%26tag=patheoscom04-20),  [A Garden of Visible Prayer: Creating a Personal Sacred Space One Step at a Time](http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Visible-Prayer-Creating-Personal/dp/1939221234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1425010682&sr=1-1&keywords=9781939221230), and  [Cultivating God’s Garden through Lent](http://www.amazon.com/Cultivating-Gods-Garden-through-Lent/dp/1939221099/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359826349&sr=8-1&keywords=cultivating+gods+garden+through+lent). An award-winning author, Margaret has a master’s degree in communications, is a Certified Greenhouse Grower, Master Gardener, liturgical garden consultant, and workshop/retreat leader. ## Related Blog Articles [ Untidy Waste and Weeds Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/04/20/untidy-waste-weeds) [ This Is for the Birds Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/07/this-is-for-the-birds) [ Creating an Archangel Garden Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/09/15/creating-archangel-garden) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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