Content
Cucumber juice for the winter is a healthy drink, but not everyone knows how to prepare it. Vegetables are mostly grown in greenhouses and outdoors; some people have gherkins growing right on their windowsill. 95% of the composition is water, but the liquid has a number of useful properties. Vitamins and macroelements have a positive effect on the cardiovascular and nervous system and heal the kidneys.
Is it possible to prepare cucumber juice for the winter?
Preserving cucumber juice is an idea that allows you to preserve the healing properties of the drink. In winter, the skin requires special care. Frozen drink in the form of ice cubes helps smooth out fine wrinkles. The condition of internal organs also improves. Even those with sensitive skin can use the product.
Cucumber juice contains a number of vitamins: B, A, E, PP, H.
Beneficial features:
- normalization of metabolism;
- destruction of microbes;
- providing a diuretic effect;
- treatment of respiratory tract inflammation;
- strengthening the heart and blood vessels;
- having a positive effect on the nervous system;
- cleansing the body of toxic substances.
You should not drink the juice of a limp or yellow cucumber. Vegetables grown in greenhouses in winter will also not benefit the body. The first fruits on the market in the spring are not the best option for harvesting. Cucumber drink strengthens the cardiovascular system and improves overall well-being.
The product retains vitamins for 2 days. During this time, the vegetable must be preserved.
How to choose the right cucumbers for juice
To prepare cucumber juice for the winter, you need to choose the right fruit. Suitable specimens should be large, but not overripe.
The time for preparing the drink is summer; during this period there are no nitrates in cucumbers.
Selection criteria:
- optimal length - about the palm of your hand;
- lack of strong shine (most likely, such specimens are treated with wax);
- green color (yellow fruits are not suitable);
- the presence of an elastic tail (this means that the fruit was only recently picked from the garden).
You need to pay attention to the smell. The quality of the final drink directly depends on the products used in the preparation process.
Despite all the benefits of cucumbers, not everyone can eat them.The presence of urolithiasis or stomach ulcers are contraindications.
How to prepare cucumber juice for the winter at home
The cooking process is not difficult. Some conditions must be met:
- Before preparing the drink, you need to cut a small piece from the cucumber. The problem is that the fruits sometimes taste bitter. These vegetables cannot be used to make smoothies.
- You can obtain liquid using a juicer, blender or meat grinder. The juicer produces a minimal amount of drink. For 1 liter of cucumber juice, approximately 1.7 kg of vegetables are required.
- Adding salt, vinegar or citric acid is the key to long-term storage. In addition, the described ingredients significantly improve the taste of the final product.
- Jars for rolling must be sterilized.
- Only metal lids can ensure complete tightness. Boiling time – 5 minutes.
- The finished product in jars should be turned over and covered with a blanket. This will provide conditions for additional sterilization.
Classic recipe for cucumber juice for the winter
Step-by-step instructions will help any housewife prepare a smoothie.
Required components:
- cucumbers – 10000 g;
- salt – 130 g;
- cumin – 30 g;
- black pepper – 2;
- horseradish root – 25 g;
- dill seeds - a pinch;
- allspice – 2 g.
Recipe for cucumber juice for the winter from a juicer:
- Wash the cucumbers and cut them into pieces.
- Soak the workpieces in a special brine (15 g of salt per 1 liter of water).
- Use a juicer and pour the resulting liquid into jars.
- Add seasonings.
- Place the jars in a warm place for 72 hours. This will ensure the fermentation process.
- Seal containers with lids.
Sometimes people don’t like juice in its pure form, and this recipe contains a lot of spices.
Low-calorie preparation for the winter helps you lose weight. 100 g of product contains only 14 kcal. It is better to consume cucumber liquid with meat dishes. This helps digest food. The vegetable has a diuretic effect and also relieves swelling.
Preparing cucumber juice for the winter without fermentation
To prepare the drink you will need a juicer.
Ingredients included:
- cucumbers – 2000 g;
- salt – 8 g;
- currant leaves – 3 pieces;
- citric acid – 2 g.
Cucumber juice in a juicer for the winter:
- Wash the vegetables and dry.
- Cut the cucumbers into thin slices.
- Place the preparations in the juicer container. Add currant leaves, add salt and citric acid.
- Pour water into the bottom of the device.
- Direct the tube through which the juice flows into a pre-sterilized jar.
- Turn on the device.
- Wait until the container is full.
- Pinch the hose.
- Seal with a clean lid.
The drink is best stored in a cool room.
Juice from cucumbers and apples for the winter
There is no salt in the composition, this is a feature of the drink.
Required components:
- cucumbers - 2500 g;
- apples - 2500 g;
- cinnamon - 12 g;
- granulated sugar - 170 g.
Preparing cucumber juice for the winter without salt:
- Wash and dry vegetables.
- Squeeze juice from apples and cucumbers. You can replace the device with a meat grinder.
- Pour the resulting liquid into a container, add cinnamon and granulated sugar.Important! If you have diabetes, you do not need to add sugar.
- Let the juice simmer (over low heat). Keep on the stove after boiling for no more than 15 minutes.
- Pour the drink into clean jars and seal with lids.
If the product does not contain sugar, then storage is possible in a cold room. The sweet drink stands well even at room temperature.
Cucumber-tomato juice for the winter
The recipe is suitable for those who love a combination of vegetables.
Includes:
- cucumbers - 2000 g;
- tomatoes - 3000 g;
- salt - to taste.
Technology for preparing original juice from cucumbers and tomatoes for the winter:
- Wash the vegetables in cold water; remove the stems.
- Squeeze juice from prepared ingredients (using a juicer).
- Mix everything in one container, add salt to the mixture.
- Bring the liquid to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 5-7 minutes.Important! During the process, it is necessary to constantly remove the foam.
- Wash jars and lids. Next comes the sterilization process.
- Pour the juice into containers and seal the jars.
Preparations for the winter must be wrapped in a warm blanket (for gradual cooling).
Spicy cucumber juice for the winter
Recipe for spice lovers.
The composition includes the following ingredients:
- cucumbers - 3000 g;
- dill seeds - a pinch;
- horseradish root - 1/3 part;
- salt - 1 tsp;
- black pepper (peas) - 6 pieces;
- cumin - a pinch.
Steps to make cucumber juice for the winter:
- Wash vegetables under cold water.
- Use a juicer (an alternative is a blender).
- Drain the resulting liquid into a container.
- Add salt and spices. Heat all ingredients, after boiling, cook for no more than 5 minutes.
- Pour the juice into clean jars (sterilization process required).
- Seal with clean lids.
The drink quenches thirst and is low-calorie.
How to freeze cucumber juice for the winter
Cucumber juice can be canned and frozen. At the same time, all the beneficial properties of the product are preserved. There is no need to worry that a defrosted drink will be tasteless.
For preparation you will need cucumbers and a special form.
The process of freezing cucumber juice for the winter:
- Extract juice using a juicer. A meat grinder is also a suitable option.
- Pour the liquid into special ice trays.
- Place the preparations in the freezer.
- After freezing, put the resulting ice into bags (this is convenient for storage).
The recipe does not require any additional ingredients. The method is very popular among housewives. Cucumber juice is used on the face as a cosmetic product in the winter. The product can be added to creams and balms.
Many people think that winter preparations are not particularly necessary, but this is not so. In stores it is not always possible to buy high-quality and fresh vegetables that do not contain nitrates and harmful additives.
Frozen cubes are best thawed at room temperature. When using a microwave oven, many of the beneficial properties of the product may be lost.
How to store cucumber juice
In this case, room temperature is also suitable, but the best option is a cool room. The juice can be stored in the freezer for 12 months. After this time, the product may cause poisoning. An open jar can be stored for no more than 3 days.
Conclusion
Cucumber juice for the winter is a special drink that has a positive effect on metabolic processes in the body. It stabilizes the water-salt balance, removes toxins and waste. The juice contains calcium, magnesium, iron, and PP vitamins. Cucumber juice can be consumed by people who want to lose weight. The liquid enhances hair and nail growth and tones the skin. This is a good main course option for fasting days.