Vegetable - Gherkins - Other Tips

Gherkins

1. Selection :
   • Gherkin should not be allowed to grow for too long. They should be harvested when they are around 4cm long. If it is allowed to grow any larger, then it loses its sweet flavour and turns bitter with time.
   • When you go to the market to buy the gherkins, make sure that it is in the lighter shades of green, and not turning yellow or dark green. If you are buying pickled or canned gherkins, you should make sure that the can is completely sealed and airtight, that is it is impervious to heat, air and dust.
   • If you are buying the raw gherkins on the other hand, make sure that the skin is smooth with no wrinkles or bumps. There should not be any dark spots or stains on it, as these are signs of the fruit losing its freshness.
2. Cleaning :Before being used, gherkins are put through a very careful selection process. The crooked and otherwise damaged fruits have to be segregated and put away. The stalks have to be removed. Also, some of the fruits fall victims to insect infestations. These need to be thrown away. The gherkins should also be carefully washed before being cooked.
3. Storage :After the gherkins have been bought from the market, they need to be stored properly, as like most other vegetables they tend to lose their freshness very easily. They are usually stored by putting them inside glass bottles filled with vinegar or acetic acid. This is then refrigerated. Though it remains fresh for about a week or so, you should consume it as soon as possible, as it starts losing its freshness.
4. Usage :This vegetable is used in different ways of Cooking and even in more areas as a different substitute. Read more >>
   
   

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Vegetable - Gherkin - Nutrition Facts

Gherkins

Vitamins & Minerals :

Vitamins	Vitamins like Vitamin-C, Vitamin-B and Vitamin-A are available.
Minerals	Many minerals including Potassium, Calcium, Molybdenum, Manganese and Magnesium are available.
Nutrients	Folate, dietary fibers and tryptophan.

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Vegetable - Gherkins - Health Benefits

Gherkins

1. Iron content :Gherkins contain a small amount of iron which is required for the form of red blood cell haemoglobin which carries oxygen around the body. They also supply some potassium required for a healthy heart and water balance,but this is somewhat counteracted by the high level of sodium.
2. Healthy skin :It makes your skin glow. It also helps to alleviate any skin inflammations.
3. Cool refreshment :Gherkins have a high percentage of water. It thus serves as a cool refreshment. It prevents your body from getting dehydrated, and supplies water to your body, which is vital for survival.
4. Mineral values :Gherkins have a high content of minerals, including Calcium, potassium, magnesium and silica. Potassium and Magnesium helps in the lowering of your blood pressure. Thus it is advised for high blood pressure patients. Calcium makes your bones and teeth stronger. Silica plays a vital role in the cure of muscle disorders. It also helps in the effective functioning of all types of connective tissues, including tendons, ligaments and muscles.
5. Fiber value :It is rich in fiber. Fiber is very important for our body, as it helps to clean the digestive tract and also plays a prime part in the smooth functioning of the digestive system. Fiber is lacking in most of the food items in a normal American diet, and thus gherkins help to make up for this lack.
6. Immune system :It is rich in various vitamins, which helps in making your immune system stronger and allows you to fight against many types of diseases.
7. Juices :The juice extracted from this fruit serves as a very cool and refreshing drink, and also is a rich reservoir of minerals and vitamins.
8. Skin disorders :Gherkins have a rich content of ascorbic acid, which is one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C. It also contains caffeic acid, which reduces swellings on the skin and also other skin disorders.

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Vegetable - Gherkins - Allergies

Gherkins

1. Digestive Upset :One potential side effect of consuming too many pickles or too much pickle juice is digestive upset. Consuming large amounts of any food can upset your digestive system, causing side effects as your body adapts to the new food, but pickles might prove especially upsetting.
2. Bloating :Another possible side effect of eating too many pickles is bloating and water retention. Pickles -- especially dill pickles -- contain high amounts of sodium. Your body reacts to this high sodium intake by retaining water to maintain the osmotic balance of your body -- the concentration of salt within your blood plasma and fluids. As a result, you might experience noticeable swelling, especially in your extremities, which might lead to some discomfort. If you experience severe bloating, consult a medical professional about the potential benefits of diuretics to ease your discomfort.
3. High Blood Pressure :Some individuals might experience a temporary spike in blood pressure after consuming a high-salt meal heavy with pickles and pickle juice. Excess fluid retention after sodium consumption can increase the volume of blood plasma in your body, leading to an increase in blood pressure for some individuals, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. If you already suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, or have a family history, avoid consuming large amounts of pickles and pickle juice to avoid excess salt consumption.
4. Increased Kidney Workload :Consuming large amounts of pickles and pickle juice might also temporarily increase the workload on your kidneys. A primary function of your kidney cells is to act as a filter, keeping nutrients your body needs in your bloodstream while allowing unwanted chemicals to exit your body in your urine. After you consume a high-salt meal, such as pickles and pickle juice, your kidneys must work to remove excess salt from your body to help maintain normal blood volume and pressure. If you suffer from an existing kidney condition, talk to your doctor about the safety of consuming high-salt foods such as pickles and pickle juice.

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Vegetable - Gherkins

Gherkins

Health Benefits Nutrition Facts Beauty tips Naming Convention Varieties Recipes Allergies Other tips

About the Vegetable :Cucumis anguria is a thinly stemmed, herbaceous vine scrambling up to 3 meters long. Fruits (4–5 cm × 3–4 cm) are long stalked, and ovoid to oblong. The surface of the fruits have long hairs covering a surface having warts or spines: The inner flesh is pallid to green. Cucumis anguria is also cultivated, but not indigenous to, nor yet believed to have become naturalized in these places: Cape Verde; Réunion; Senegal; and parts of the Caribbean

Scientific / Binomial name : Cucumis anguria

Popularly Known as :Hybrid cucumber,Pickled cucumber,Spreewald gherkins,Gurken,bur cucumber,bur gherkin, cackrey, gooseberry gourd, maroon cucumber,West Indian gourd

Usage :

• Gherkins are the vegetables which are used in pickling, as cooked vegetables or eaten raw.
• Cucumis anguria has been used in folk medicine to treat ailments of the stomach.
• Many varieties Show varieties are available in the market.

Vegetables - Gherkins - Varieties

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