Cucumber

• Add a refreshing crunch to salads: Thinly sliced or diced cucumber adds a cool, crisp texture and mild flavor to any salad, whether it's a simple garden salad, a Greek salad with feta, or an Asian-inspired cucumber salad with sesame dressing.
• Create a cooling cucumber raita: Grated cucumber, mixed with yogurt, mint, and spices, creates a soothing raita, the perfect accompaniment to spicy Indian dishes or grilled meats. This is an ideal way to use up a surplus of fresh cucumbers.
• Infuse water for a hydrating beverage: Slices of cucumber added to water infuse it with a light, refreshing flavor, making it a hydrating and healthy drink alternative. Try combining it with mint and lemon for an extra flavorful cucumber infused water.
• Prepare refreshing cucumber sandwiches: Thinly sliced cucumbers layered between buttered bread with cream cheese or other fillings create light and refreshing cucumber sandwiches, perfect for afternoon tea or a light lunch. Discover variations using dill or sprouts.
• Pickle them for long-term preservation: Cucumbers are a classic choice for pickling. Whether you prefer dill pickles, sweet pickles, or bread and butter pickles, pickling is a great way to preserve a large cucumber harvest and enjoy their tangy flavor year-round.
• Blend into gazpacho or chilled soups: Cucumbers lend a cool and refreshing flavor to chilled soups like gazpacho. Their high water content also contributes to the smooth texture of these refreshing summer soups. Find recipes for cucumber gazpacho with variations.

• Supports hydration due to its high water content.
• May aid in weight management as it's low in calories and high in fiber.
• Rich in antioxidants, helping to protect cells from damage.
• Provides essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin C, and potassium.
• May promote healthy digestion due to its fiber content.
• Supports skin health due to its hydrating and nutrient-rich composition.

Cucumbers are best stored in the refrigerator to maintain their freshness and crispness. Wrap individual cucumbers in a paper towel to absorb excess moisture and then place them in a plastic bag or container. Avoid storing them near ethylene-producing fruits like tomatoes and bananas, as this can cause them to ripen and spoil more quickly. Properly stored, cucumbers can last for up to a week in the refrigerator.