You know that moment when you think you’ve invented/discovered something? Quickly, words, imagines and thoughts flash through your mind and you confirm “I’ve never seen this before!”. You’re excited, you think you’re onto something and then you quickly do a Google search.
Your heart plops on the floor and you realize there are approximately 9,500,000 results for “Candied Cucumbers”. You’re disappointed and the dream of your book deal and cooking show all about Cucumbers on the Food Network dissipate.
But I digress. Summer Fest is here and this week is graced by, you guessed it, Cucumbers! Join in the fun by following the Twitter hashtag #cookingwith and sharing with us your favorite ways to eat cucumbers! Here, I decided to showcase two main ingredients: Cucumbers and Hibiscus. Because as you know, Hibiscus makes everything sexier.
Hibiscus Candied Cucumbers
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dried hibiscus flowers
1 large cucumber
Method
- In small sauce pan, stir water and sugar together and simmer until all the sugar dissolves.Ā
- While the syrup simmers, thinly slice cucumbers and drop into the syrup, as well as dried hibiscus.Ā
- Poach for 10 minutes.
- Remove cucumbers from syrup and place on silicone baking sheet. Dehydrate in low temperature oven or dehydrator until they become smooth to the touch.
- Reserve hibiscus flavored syrup for future cocktail making or as sweetener for lemonade.Ā
Uses for Candied CucumbersĀ
- Drop into vodka tonics as garnish.
- Set out small plates of it with chic toothpicks and serve as a bar snack sprinkled with salt flakes and red pepper flakes.
- Add to your water to improve flavor and beat the heat! Hydration can also be flavor packed!
- Juice half a pineapple, a few celery stalks and 1/4 cup of hibiscus candied cucumbers; a refreshing summer drink!
Need more Cucumber Inspiration? Check out these links from the Summer Fest!
The Sensitive Epicure: Tzatziki with Grilled Gluten-Free Pitas and Fresh Cucumbers and Peppers
A Way to Garden: Cucumber-Growing Q&A and the Best Pickles
I adore cucumbers and can’t wait for them to be ready in the garden. I can honestly say I have never even had the thought of a candied cucumber but am intrigued by the notion! They look beautiful too by the way!
I’ll just say it… This is unusual. Yes it is. It must be a true treat too. GREG
Love this!! thanks for sharing!!
I have never heard of candied cucumbers either! Love it!
wow! what a beautiful picture dear! and a lovely recipe (as always)!!!
You are a creative culinary genius! I would never have imagined candied cucumbers, let alone with hibiscus! I like your idea for the pineapple, celery and candied cucumbers!
Love the idea. Go nelly go! This one has become a must try. š
I totally relate with the quick google experience! lol…
Great recipe though š
Super Cool idea. Cucumber don’t like me as much as I like them. But, maybe if thet’re candied, they’ll like me better š
Never heard of candied cucumbers so you still got the Food Nerwork or Cooking channel show as far as I am concerned! š & whoah gazzilion results for that search?! Lookin’ good!!