This year we are growing two varieties of cucumber. One is a normal green one and the other is called “miniature white”. While it starts off as a small gherkin-like white cucumber, it rapidly grows and then turns yellow and even deep orange.
Some of our team were hesitant to try these odd looking vegetables, but we sliced up an orange one and everyone agreed that it was like a normal green cucumber, only better! There was no bitterness and the pips in the centre were soft and easy to swallow. These cucumbers have a thicker skin than shop-bought ones. The skin is not so thick that it is unpleasant to eat, although you can peel them if you choose.
Last week, our volunteers took some home to try out. The verdict was that they stored far better than plastic-wrapped shop cucumbers; remained crunchy for many days and tasted great.
I have experienced home-grown cucumbers which wilted within a few days, so this variety has been a great find. Sadly, we are struggling to find outlets that will buy them. Raw took a few kg last week, but reported that they didn’t all sell (although customers who did buy them gave positive feedback). They didn’t want to take any more.
Personally, I love growing and eating strange fruit and vegetables, hence why I pick seeds of varieties that are unusual shapes or colours. However, the vast majority of people have set ideas about what vegetables should look like. I guess, getting people to eat more organically grown fruit and veg is the first step and introducing them to more unusual varieties may have to come further down the line. What do you think?