why can't we get kirby cucumbers in the "off season"?

[grasswire]

We can get English cucumbers, and many kinds of tomatoes, and summer squash, and so many other things, but not kirby cucumbers.

My pickle supply is not going to last the winter. I want more kirbys!

[PoliticAverse]

1. Kirby works hard all season, don't you think some rest is deserved? n/t

[Warpy]

2. I do this one with English cukes

Quarter them lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and pulp, then cut them into 1/4-3/8 inch thick slices. Salt them with some Kosher salt and set them aside in a colander to drain for 30 minutes to 2 hours. I've found 30 minutes is adequate, the 2 hours was when I spaced it and they were OK. At the end of the drain, put them into a clean kitchen towel and twist the ends until the slices are completely drained.

The sauce is made of 1/4-1/2 cup of sour cream, snipped fresh dill, and a clove or two of garlic, peeled and either put through a press or mushed into a paste.

Mix in the cucumber slices and refrigerate the whole thing for at least 4 hours for all that garlic to marry with the other flavors.

These are cukes trying to be garlic dill pickles but not quite making it. They are incredibly nice, especially when you've run out of pickles They're like half sours in sour cream.

I loved a dollop of the mixture on sour pumpernickel bread when I could eat wheat. Now it's just out of the bowl, as is. I barely miss the bread, it's so good.

I'd still like to be able to find gherkins out of season. I rarely see them around here even in season.

[grasswire]

3. I rarely see gherkins for sale.

I grew a funny little cucumber variety this year: German Sour. These cukes are like tiny little striped watermelons -- only about an inch + long, growing on a pretty vine in a big pot. The yield, though, was only about three cups. And the flavor really was sour. Nobody liked them out of hand. They might be good in sour cream, though.

[japple]

6. I saw those little cukes being used as a garnish in martinis or

some other kind of cocktail. I wonder if they would be good pickled with garlic, onion, vinegar and spices?

[grasswire]

7. probably

They are adorable.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Probably because their skins can't be waxed

and that limits shelf life. Just a guess.

[grasswire]

5. ah, good guess, thanks nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. never in my life as a wannabe foodie have I ever heard of

kirby cukes