Ideas for Using Fresh Garden Cucumbers
I love fresh garden cucumbers and they are definitely one of my favorite summertime vegetables. But what to do when your garden starts to produce more cucumbers than you have ideas for using them?
Even if you don’t have a summer garden that is producing baskets and baskets of fresh cucumber, there are Farmers Markets popping up just about everywhere that sell freshly picked delicious cucumbers.
A fresh uncut cucumber will last about a week and the best place to store a whole cucumber is right on your kitchen counter. If you wash and cut the cucumber, it needs to go in the refrigerator in an airtight container and should be used in about 3-4 days.
If you are making salads for work – store the cut cucumbers separate from the lettuce and other salad fixings. In the morning, throw together your salad in your favorite container. Your salad will stay fresh and crisp!
Cucumbers are very low in calories with only about 20 calories a cup. They’re also low in fat and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin K. Cucumbers are made up of 96% water so they can add additional delicious hydration in the hot summer months!
Did you know that cucumbers are made up of mostly water? Read – 10 Quick Ways to Eat Your Water
Cucumbers & Tomatoes – I love to take advantage of summer produce on a daily basis and eat raw chunks of cucumber mixed with chunks of garden fresh tomatoes. Just toss together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp minced garlic and 1/2 tsp salt and mix with the cucumber and tomatoes. Eat over a bed of lettuce or in a big bowl. Lightly sprinkle with fresh black pepper.
Removing Seeds from Your Cucumbers:
Some people do not enjoy the taste of cucumber seeds and they do make whatever dish you are preparing a little more watery. Watch this video to see how easy it is to remove cucumber seeds.
Here are some salad ideas using fresh cucumbers:
Sliced Cucumber and Feta Cheese salad
Mix together cucumber and feta cheese tossed with your favorite zippy Italian dressing. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and a little oregano.
Simple Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad
Watermelon, cut into chunks
feta cheese, cut into cubes
1 small red onion, finely sliced
1 small cucumber, peeled and cut into half moons
For the dressing
1/4 of a cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
salt and pepper to taste
Toss the watermelon, feta cheese, onion and cucumber into a medium bowl. Mix together the dressing and pour over the salad. Toss well to mix.
Shrimp, Egg and Cucumber Salad
Some Additional Cucumber Recipes that We Love
Creamy Poppyseed Pasta Salad by hotteatsandcoolreads.com
Tabouli salad by themediterraneandish.com
Simple Cucumber & Tomato Salad – by cookingweekends.blogspot.com
Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad – by www.nutritiouseats.com
If you want to make a pretty cucumber salad you definitely want to purchase a mandoline!
Cucumber Salad
2 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced (English works well)
1/2 cup cider or white vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried dill weed
Sour Cream – optional
Place cucumbers in a small bowl and lightly salt. Let the cucumbers sweat liquid for about an hour. Drain the liquid from the cucumbers.
Combine the vinegar, water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a very light boil. Add salt, pepper and dill weed; stir well. Pour over the sliced cucumbers. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Serve with a dollap of sour cream.
Some Additional Ideas for Fresh Garden Cucumbers
Mix peeled and diced cucumber in with your tuna fish salad. Make sure to clean out the seeds.
Eat slices of cucumber on your BLT or egg salad sandwich.
Water infused with lemon and cucumber.
Throw clean and seeded cucumber into your green morning smoothie.
Cucumber Yogurt Dip
2 (5 ounce) containers plain Greek yogurt (Chobani)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated (about 1-1/2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
Lay grated cucumber on a paper towel for about 5-10 minutes to drain some of the liquid. Combine everything together in a medium bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
