Heirloom Cucumbers

Heirloom Cukes, etc.

I planted several varieties of cukes this year.  The hybrids look like the normal green cukes we see in the grocery store and are Straight 8 or Sweeter Yet.  Not sure which of those two the green cukes are in the photo.  The golden hued heirlooms are called Poona Kheera and have been coming off the vine as long or longer than the hybrids.  These have as good a flavor as the hybrids with maybe a slightly more gelatinous center if left too long on the vine. They have never been bitter at any stage of growth. They don't seem to keep as long, becoming slightly pithy after a couple of days on the kitchen counter.  The small pale green goose egg like cukes are called Crystal Apple and they are just now ready to come off the vine.   I like the way they look.  The skin is the same color as the flesh, but we still prefer to peel them.  These slice like butter and have a real mild flavor.  I hope they turn out to be longer keepers than the Poona Kheera... I may like to grow these again if so.  The variety of cukes makes a pretty picture.  If I peeled and sliced them, they would all look the same!