Love Cucumbers? Show It and Grow It with Heart Shaped Molds

by Steve Levenstein

Cucumbers shaped to your heart's desire without resorting to a paring knife? That's the idea behind these clear plastic molds that allow your veggies to literally grow into a shape perfect for lovable slicing.

Although the instructions included in this set of clear plastic molds is in Japanese, the theory behind heart-shaped cucumbers is straightforward and takes minimal effort. Plus, the "training", as it were, it doesn't hurt the living cucumbers nor affect their nutritional content. The only thing you need at the get-go is a cucumber bush growing in your garden.

Simply slip one of the sleeves (3 are included) over a small, young cucumber and let Mother Nature do the rest. The veggies will expand to the imposed limit and fill out the rest of the available space. It's the same method used to grow square watermelons, which sell for a large premium in Japanese stores.

While I'm not sure cucumbers of any shape belong on a pizza as shown above, they're great in salads, as a garnish, and just might make kids eat their veggies when added to a school lunch. One might also try using the cute customized cukes to make pickles - ideal for those who "heart" their dills. (via Japan Trend Shop)

Steve Levenstein
J A P A N O R A M A
InventorSpot.com

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Comments

Adorable!

Submitted on January 26th, 2009 by Boomer Babe

I love this idea!

These are so cool Steve

Submitted on January 26th, 2009 by Jill Harness

I love them. Also, I'll be posting them on Neatorama soon to share them with the people over there.

great concept!

Submitted on January 26th, 2009 by Anonymous

This is what this website should be about, not useless articles on what someone's military can't and won't do, but an ACTUAL product that ACTUALLY does something!

If these are available please provide a link. Thanks!

They're available...

Submitted on January 26th, 2009 by Steve Levenstein

They are indeed available from Japan Trend Shop, their link is at the end of the article.

Thanks!

Submitted on January 26th, 2009 by Anonymous

With all the useless content links I don't scroll over anything in blue as a rule. I have already ordered two.

I am wondering what we might be able to do creatively with a pumpkin!

other veggie molds

Submitted on January 27th, 2009 by Anonymous

You could build a plexiglass enclosure for your pumpkins and make them square shaped for easy stacking like the japanese refrigerator friendly watermelons a few years back , or perhaps make a life-cast of yourself for an extra cute/scary jack-o-lantern next Halloween. I've already seen it done with other gourds somewhere on the net

Cool Idea

Submitted on February 22nd, 2009 by Anonymous

This is such a cool idea. I can't wait to get my straight 8 seeds in the garden.

I'm going to start some indoors also just like I always do. That way I get a nice ultra early harvest of those awesome garden grown cucumbers.

Anyway thanks for all the cool ideas here! I'm going to try square pumpkins and watermelons also.