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Cucumber salad is a simple and refreshing dish, very suitable for summer. Here is a basic method of making cucumber salad:

Materials:

- 1-2 cucumbers

- 2 cloves of garlic (you can increase or decrease according to your taste)

- Salt (appropriate amount)

- A little sugar

- Vinegar (white vinegar or rice vinegar)

- Light soy sauce (appropriate amount)

- A little sesame oil

- Chili oil or chili powder (optional)

- Sesame seeds (optional)

practice:

1. Prepare the cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers, remove the ends, then tap the cucumbers lightly with the back of a knife to split them, then cut into strips or diagonal slices.

2. Pickled cucumbers: Put the cut cucumbers into a bowl, sprinkle with appropriate amount of salt, mix well and set aside to marinate for about 10 minutes to allow the cucumbers to release water.

3. Prepare the sauce: Chop the garlic into minced garlic, put it in a small bowl, add appropriate amount of sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil, adjust the proportion according to personal taste, and mix well. If you like spicy taste, you can add chili oil or chili powder.

4. Mix the cucumbers: Squeeze out excess water from the pickled cucumbers, then pour into the prepared sauce and mix well so that each cucumber slice is coated with the sauce.

5. Serve and enjoy: Serve the mixed cucumbers on a plate, sprinkle some sesame seeds on it to increase the aroma, and serve.

This cucumber salad is refreshing and appetizing. It is easy to make and is very suitable as a home-cooked dish or a cold dish for a banquet. According to personal preference, you can also add other ingredients, such as crushed peanuts, coriander, etc., to increase the flavor.

Cucumber salad is a delicious and healthy food, but to maximize its nutritional value, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Quick processing: The nutrients in cucumbers, especially vitamin C and some enzymes, are easily oxidized and lost in the air. Therefore, the process from picking to eating should be as short as possible.

2. Gently wash: Use running water to gently rinse the surface of the cucumber. Avoid using soap or other detergents to prevent residues from affecting the taste and nutrition.

3. Mix with seasoning immediately after slicing: Cucumbers should be mixed with seasoning as soon as possible after slicing to reduce the time they are exposed to the air.

4. Store at low temperature: If you need to prepare in advance, you can refrigerate the cut cucumbers to slow down the loss of nutrients.

5. Gentle heating: Some people like to heat cucumbers slightly, but this will lead to the loss of nutrients. If you must heat it, try to use a short time and low temperature method.

6. Use antioxidants: Adding some antioxidant-rich ingredients such as lemon juice, vinegar, etc. to the mixing material can help protect vitamin C from being destroyed.

7. Avoid over-stirring: Over-stirring will damage the cucumber tissue and make nutrients more likely to be lost. Just stir gently.

8. Use fresh seasonings: Fresh seasonings, such as fresh minced garlic, minced ginger, etc., not only enhance the flavor but also provide additional nutrients.

9. Control salt: Too much salt will damage the cell structure in cucumbers, leading to the loss of water and nutrients. Use salt in moderation or choose low-sodium salt.

Through the above methods, you can enjoy the cold cucumber salad while retaining its nutritional value as much as possible. Remember that the cold cucumber salad is best eaten right after it is made, so that it can maintain the best taste and ensure that the nutrients are not lost.

Cucumbers are a vegetable with a high water content, so it is relatively difficult to keep them fresh. However, there are some natural ways to help prolong the freshness of cucumbers:

1. Refrigerate: Placing cucumbers in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator can effectively slow down the process of ripening and decaying. However, be careful not to store cucumbers with other fruits (such as apples, bananas, etc.), because the ethylene gas released by these fruits may accelerate the aging of cucumbers.

2. Wrap and store: Wrap the cucumber with paper towels or clean cloth, then put it in a plastic bag, seal it after removing excess air, and store it in the refrigerator. This can reduce the contact between the cucumber and air, delay water evaporation and nutrient loss.

3. Soak in salt water: Soak the cucumber in light salt water for a few minutes, then take it out and rinse it with clean water, dry it and store it in the refrigerator. This method can help the cucumber maintain a certain crispness and freshness.

4. Cover with a damp cloth: Place the cucumbers in a container, cover them with a damp cloth, then close the lid and store in the refrigerator. A humid environment helps retain moisture in the cucumbers.

5. Store separately: Cucumbers should not be stacked. It is best to place them flat or upright individually to avoid damage caused by squeezing each other.

6. Avoid cutting: Once cut, the cut surface of the cucumber will quickly lose moisture and nutrients. If you don’t plan to eat it immediately, try not to cut the cucumber in advance.

7. Use plastic wrap: Wrap the uncut cucumbers with plastic wrap to reduce moisture evaporation and external contamination, and extend the shelf life.

Please note that no matter which method you use, cucumbers should not be stored for a long time and are best eaten within a few days of purchase to ensure their best taste and nutritional value.

You can judge whether the cucumber is fresh by observing the following aspects:

1. Appearance: The skin of a fresh cucumber should be smooth and shiny, and usually dark or light green, depending on the variety. If the cucumber skin has yellow spots, wrinkles, or depressions, this may be a sign of aging.

2. Shape: Fresh cucumbers should be straight or slightly curved, with uniform shape. If the cucumbers are noticeably bent or deformed, it may be due to poor growing conditions or they are no longer fresh.

3. Thorns: The cucumber surface usually has a layer of fine thorns. The thorns of fresh cucumbers are dense and hard. If the thorns are sparse or fall off easily, it means that the cucumber may not be fresh enough.

4. Weight: Fresh cucumbers are full of water and should feel heavy in your hand. If the cucumber feels light, it may be because the water has been lost and it is not fresh enough.

5. Hardness: Gently press the cucumber with your hand. Fresh cucumbers should have a certain hardness and quickly return to their original shape after being pressed. If the cucumber leaves obvious indentations or feels soft after being pressed, it means that it may have begun to deteriorate.

6. Tail: The tail of the cucumber (the end where the flower is) should be dry. If the tail starts to mold or have slime, it means the cucumber may no longer be fresh.

7. Smell: Fresh cucumbers should have no peculiar smell, only a light cucumber fragrance. If there is a sour or other abnormal smell, it may have begun to rot.

Through the comprehensive judgment of the above indicators, the freshness of cucumbers can be identified more accurately. When buying, try to choose cucumbers with high freshness to ensure the taste and nutrition when eating.

There are some other storage methods you can try besides the refrigerator, but be aware that these methods may not be as effective as the refrigerator and may not last as long. Here are some non-refrigerator storage methods for cucumbers:

1. Cool and ventilated place: Place the cucumber in a cool and ventilated place at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This method is suitable for consumption within a short period of time, such as within one or two days.

2. Preservation in sand: In some traditional methods, people bury cucumbers in moist sand. Sand can help regulate temperature and humidity, slowing down the aging process of cucumbers. This method requires regular checks on the humidity of the sand and maintaining proper moisture.

3. Bucket storage: Put the cucumber in a clean bucket and add an appropriate amount of clean water to half-submerge the cucumber. Then cover with a wet cloth and place in a cool place. This method can keep the cucumber moist, but it is also only suitable for short-term storage.

4. Wrap with newspaper: Wrap the cucumbers one by one with newspaper and place them in a cool and ventilated place. Newspaper can help absorb moisture and slow down the evaporation of water from the cucumbers.

5. Hanging in bamboo baskets: In some places, people hang cucumbers in bamboo baskets in well-ventilated rooms. This method allows the cucumbers to dry naturally and slows down the rotting process.

It should be noted that the above methods can only be used as temporary preservation measures for a short period of time. Cucumber is a high-water vegetable that is easily affected by temperature and humidity, so it usually cannot be stored for too long in a non-refrigerated environment. In order to ensure the best taste and nutritional value of cucumbers, it is recommended to eat them as soon as possible or store them properly in the refrigerator.