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.
- While the syrup simmers, thinly slice cucumbers and drop into the syrup, as well as dried hibiscus.
- 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.
Uses for Candied Cucumbers
- 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
That picture is beautiful!
What a great idea! This sounds so tasty!
Such a gorgeous photo! I never had candied cucumbers. What did it taste like with the hibiscus? I love all the cuke links!:)You’re the cukest;)
What a great idea, I love this!! PS, I can’t believe I haven’t been a follower until now! I’ve always loved your blog! xoxo
Never heard of it either, but your version sounds terrific! Thanks for the “how to use” tips, too, and also for the links.
I’ve never heard of candied cucumbers before…it sounds intriguing. And with the hibiscus…gorgeous and exotic and summery too.
Well it’s the first time I’ve ever seen it! Awesome idea.
What a beautiful photo and tasty recipe! Oh and I feel the same way about creating recipes… when I think I have a new, creative idea to only to find out it has been done before!
Just so you know, I’d watch you on TV!
Simple yet exotic recipe. Will try it for sure