Cucumber
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"Cool as a cucumber?" You bet. Thanks to an exceptionally high water content, the inside of a cucumber can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the outside air. |
Usually found in fresh salads, vegetable trays and cold soups like gazpacho, cucumbers are long, cylinder-shaped vegetables of the gourd family. They have thin, dark green skins and a refreshingly mild and crisp inner flesh with seeds. Smaller cucumber varieties are used to make pickles.
History
Though cucumbers are usually associated with hot weather, they were forced to grow out of season for the Roman emperor Tiberius, who reigned from 14-37 A.D. The Romans so enjoyed cucumbers that he demanded they be available every day of the year. He ate 10 a day himself.
Varieties
There are more than 40 varieties of cucumbers that belong to three main types. Most commonly found at supermarkets, slicing cucumbers usually have dark green, heavily waxed skins. (The wax is added to seal in moisture and extend shelf life.) Popular varieties include the Ashley, Marketer and Palomar.
Sometimes called Kirby or West Indian Gherkin, pickling cucumbers are short and very crisp, with bumpy skins. They are most often used for pickles.
The more expensive English (or hothouse) cucumbers are long, thin and virtually seedless, which makes them less bitter. They are marketed in shrink-wrapped plastic.
Buying Tips
Choose firm cucumbers with brightly colored skins. They should be well-shaped, but not too large—smaller cucumbers tend to be less bitter. Avoid cucumbers with shriveled ends, soft spots or a dull or yellowed color.
Storage Tips
Store whole, unwashed cucumbers in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Usage Tips
Wash cucumbers right before using. Then taste the skin. If it's heavily waxed, thick or bitter-tasting, peel it. The thinner skins on English, locally grown or garden cucumbers don't usually require peeling unless you want to for aesthetic reasons.
You may also wish to remove the seeds, which are often bitter. To seed a cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, then run a spoon or melon baller down the center to scrape the seeds away.
Serving Tips
- Add slices of cucumber and lemon to pitchers of water for a refreshing spa treat at home.
- Garnish a Bloody Mary or vegetable juice with cucumber spears instead of celery.
- Hollow out cucumber halves and fill with dips, salads or sauces.
- Give cucumbers a decorative look by running the tines of a fork down the length of the outside before slicing.
- Lightly sauté sliced cucumbers in butter or oil and sprinkle with fresh dill or mint.
Try one of our favorite cucumber recipes:
Heather's Pasta Salad
Lemony Cucumber Salad
