Quick Tips

To crisp up cucumber and remove excess water, use salt and ice water. Sprinkle with salt, place on a bag of ice water for several hour, and drain water.

Cucumbers are approximately 96 percent water so removing some of the excess water will help give them a crisp texture. Sprinkle the cucumbers with a little salt. Fill a sealable bag half full of ice; then fill the remainder with water and seal tightly. Place the ice bag in a strainer, put the cucumbers on top, and then set the strainer in a bowl to catch the water as it drains off. Store in the refrigerator for a couple of hours; pat dry and use in your favorite dish or salad.