Yes, you generally peel standard cucumbers for a veggie tray because the skin is thick and waxy, but you usually don't need to peel English cucumbers (those in plastic wrap) due to their thin, edible skin, though washing them well is still important. Many sources suggest peeling and seeding them for a cleaner look and texture, while some recommend leaving the nutrient-rich skin on if using thin-skinned varieties.
Save yourself prep time by making the vegetable platter ahead of time. You can make the dips up to 3 or 4 days in advance! Store in an airtight container in the fridge until it's time to serve the platter. The raw, cooked, and pickled veggies can all be made in advance too, as can the veggie chips.
All cut vegetables should be used within 2 to 3 days.
Carrots, celery, and radishes will last up to 5 days when stored in water but if storing that long, be sure to replace the water each day or at least every other day. So go on, cut up some veggies!
Cucumber should be peeled, split in half lengthwise, the seeds removed with a spoon, then cut into sticks lengthwise.
Homemade is almost always cheaper than buying a convenience item. Unless you find a vegetable tray on serious markdown, it's more affordable to assemble your own.
Cucumbers can cause digestive issues like gas and bloating due to a compound called cucurbitacin, a bitter chemical that largely occurs in cucumber skin. They might also trigger symptoms if you're prone to bloating, constipation, or diarrhea from other sensitivities as well as gas after eating cucumbers.
Tips And Tricks for Reducing Bitterness
Although you're not likely to be bowled over by a bitter cucumber, there are some options for reducing bitter bites. For starters, you can simply peel the cucumber. “Peeling and deseeding go a long way—bitterness tends to sit in the skin and seeds,” points out Haynes.
Persian and English cucumbers are two excellent varieties of cucumbers. They both have small seeds and thin skin, so they don't need to be peeled.
It's simply another name for a veggie platter and means “raw things”. It's a French word so it's a little more fun and fancy to use.
To maximize their nutrient content, cucumbers should be eaten unpeeled. Peeling them reduces the amount of fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals (3). SUMMARY: Cucumbers are low in calories but high in water and several important vitamins and minerals.
Instructions to Make a Veggie Platter
I recommend doing so the day before you plan on serving so that you can store them in the fridge to chill. PREP YOUR VEGGIES: Make sure to wash and dry your vegetables before getting started.
Tips for Creating a Fancy Vegetable Tray
Go beyond the traditional carrot & celery combo and bring in a diversity of veggies, including watermelon radish, mini bell peppers, orange cauliflower, purple cauliflower and broccolini. Less common or unexpected veggies can elevate a board & make it fill at “bit fancy”.
A classic veggie tray is a staple for any party or gathering. Fill a large platter with a variety of raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Serve with ranch dressing or French onion dip on the side.
Cucumbers are mostly water, so peeling removes nearly all of the nutritional value. Plus, peeling a slippery cucumber can be a pain. Learn to love the extra crunch with a smashed cucumber salad. Or ease your way into the idea of eating the skin by peeling only some of the cucumber lengthwise.
Flash-blanched vegetables can be prepped 3 days in advance. Store in the refrigerator in air-tight containers.
Just put them in an air tight container and layer them with paper towels so the paper towels can soak up the excess moisture to keep them crisp!!
Prep your veg the night before
This will save you a lot of faff and additional mess on Christmas morning. If you've got lots of space in your fridge (unlikely), you could even pre-cook your potatoes and parsnips on Christmas Eve to save even more time.
How Long Does a Veggie Tray Last? When properly refrigerated, a vegetable platter can typically last anywhere from 3 to 7 days. However, it's best to consume it within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and quality. Always refer to the use-by date on the packaging of the veggie tray.
If you're going to store veggies or fruit in the fridge, save the washing for just before you're going to use them. The reason is that the added humidity from washing may make produce rot more quickly. If you absolutely must wash vegetables or fruit first, let them dry well before putting them in the fridge.