CUCUMBER RECIPES

Greenhouse cucumbers, also known as English or "burp-less" cucumbers, are seedless and milder in flavor than field-grown varieties and can be substituted for slicers in any recipe.

Keep unwashed cucumbers in the refrigerator crisper until ready to use in a cucumber recipe. Un-waxed cucumbers should be peeled; slice off the ends first to make the job easier.

Removing the seeds (there is no harm in eating them) is a matter of personal choice. Cucumbers add texture and crunch to some fresh cucumber recipes like sandwiches and salads - and can be used to create delicious summer soups like gazpacho. They are also a cool complement to fish and poultry dishes.

Cucumbers are 95% water. They have minimal nutritive value, but also minimal calories. These cucumber facts are brought to you courtesy of Whole Food Markets. Now, as promised, my cucumber recipes.





This fresh cucumber recipe is very tasty and one to take to family visits.

CUCUMBER ONION SALAD

2 cucumbers, sliced very thin
1 red onion, sliced very thin
1 TBS vinegar
1 TBS lemon juice
2 TBS sour cream or homemade mayonnaise
1 tsp white sugar
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Toss the cucumbers and onions together. Whisk the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to the vegetables. Chill for at least 3 hours before serving.




FRESH ASIAN SALAD RECIPE

3 cucumbers, sliced lengthwise - seeded and sliced
2 tsp salt
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 TBS sesame oil
1 TBS garlic, minced
1 TBS fresh ginger root, minced
1 TBS sesame seeds
2 fresh red chile peppers, sliced (or to taste)

Put the sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle with the salt. Set aside to drain for one hour.

Whisk together the vinegar and sugar until dissolved and add the sesame oil, garlic, ginger root and sesame seeds. Stir well.

Rinse the salt off the cucumber slices and place them in a large bowl with the red chile peppers. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat. Serve immediately. A fresh cucumber recipe that will be used often.




I love crisp, cucumber recipes and this one is so tasty with the spices.

CREAMY CUCUMBER SALAD

2 medium cucumbers, peeled, sliced 1/2" thick and halved*
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 large tomatoes, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced in 1 inch strips
1/2 cup homemade mayonnaise
2 TBS white vinegar
4 TBS white sugar
1 TBS dried parsley flakes
1 tsp dried dill
seasoning salt and pepper to taste

Toss the cucumbers and onions in a large bowl. Quarter the tomatoes, remove the seeds and dice. Add to the cucumber mixture. Thinly slice the green pepper and add to the bowl. Toss lightly. Mix the last 5 ingredients together and add. Toss lightly to coat and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

*The cucumber cut is very important to this salad, if thinly sliced the cucumbers will wilt and not be crunchy. Great fresh cucumber salad in the summer.

CANNING PICKLES

This is a wonderful cucumber recipe for dill pickles.

HOMEMADE DILL PICKLES

8 lbs of 3 to 4 inch pickling cucumbers (the smaller - the crunchier; and cut off 1/8" off each blossom end of the pickle)
4 cups white vinegar
12 cups water
2/3 cups pickling salt
16 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
8 heads of fresh dill weed*
8 springs of fresh dill weed

Wash cucumbers and place in the sink with cold water and ice cubes. Soak for at least 2 hours, but no longer than 6 hours. Add more ice as needed. Sterilize eight 1 quart canning jars and lids in boiling water for 10 minutes.

In a large pot (not metal) over medium-high heat, add the vinegar, water and pickling salt - and bring this brine to a boil. In each jar place 1/2 teaspoon of chopped garlic, one full head of dill weed, and enough pickles to fill the jar. Finish it off with another 1/2 teaspoon of chopped garlic and the sprig of fresh dill weed.**

Now fill each jar with the hot brine. Clean the jar's rim with a cloth and seal the jar. Store pickles for 2 months before eating so flavors blend well.

May be kept in a cool, dark place for up to 2 years. I recommend writing the date on the bottom of the jar when canning - to keep track of how old they are. Refrigerate after opening.

*May substitute 1/3 TBS of dill seed for each jar.**At this point you may add in each jar: jalapeno pepper sliced with seeds, 1/8 tsp dry mustard seed, 1/8 tsp dill seed and 1/8 tsp celery seed.




I love this cucumber recipe. These pickles are my favorites - wait till you taste them.

BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES

25 pickling cucumbers
6 onions, thinly sliced
2 green bell peppers, diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup salt

BRINE:
3 cups cider vinegar
5 cups white sugar
2 TBS mustard seed
1-1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp whole cloves
1 TBS ground turmeric

Soak the cucumbers in ice water for at least 6-8 hours before slicing.

Thinly slice the cucumbers and onions and put in a large pail or tub. Add the green peppers, garlic and salt. Set aside for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Meanwhile in a large pan, mix the brine ingredients together and bring to a boil. Drain any liquid from the cucumber mixture and rinse well, and then add to the brine.

When the brine is almost boiling for the second time, take off the heat and put in sterilized jars. Seal and chill in the refrigerator. A simple fresh cucumber recipe.

Make approximately 9 pints.




This is a lovely and refreshing salsa; a delicious change from tomatoes. Excellent with grilled chicken, pork or fish. If you want more heat, leave the seeds in the jalapenos.

FRESH CUCUMBER RECIPE FOR MANGO SALSA

3 mangoes, peeled/seeded and diced
1 cucumber, peeled/seeded and diced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
1 red onion, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup pineapple, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 TBS lime juice
zest of 1/2 lime
salt and pepper to taste

Toss together the first 7 ingredients. Then season with the lime juice and zest; salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor.




I love this Greek sauce on gyros and you can also use it as a dip and salad dressing. You may also use grated onion if desired in this fresh cucumber recipe.

TZATZIKI CUCUMBER DIP

4 cups plain yogurt
3 large cucumbers, peeled
3 garlic cloves
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 TBS olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/8 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)

Line a sieve with double thickness of a dampened cheesecloth. (Two coffee filters work well also.) Spoon in the yogurt and set the sieve over a bowl. Refrigerate for two or three hours or until yogurt is half of its volume - thick and creamy.

Shred or finely chop the cucumbers and place in a colander over a bowl or sink and generously salt them. Let sit for at least 30-60 minutes. Rinse and gently pat dry.

With a mortor and pestal muddle the garlic into a bit of salt and add to the thickened yogurt. Then add the cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, pepper and mint. Mix well and chill overnight for best flavor. Stir again before serving and add some more chopped mint on top if desired.




Delicious on hot dogs and brats. Makes 4 pints.

SWEET RELISH

7 English cucumbers
4 sweet onions, peeled
1/4 cup pickling salt
3 cups white sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp celery seed
3 cups distilled white vinegar
1 cup water

Grate the cucumbers and onions into a large bowl. I use the large holes on a box grater. Sprinkle the pickling salt over the top. Cover tightly and let sit at room temperature overnight.

The next day squeeze as much liquid out of the cucumber mixture as you can and set aside. Whisk the sugar, flour, turmeric, ginger and celery seed and set aside.

Heat the vinegar and water in a large pot over medium-high heat. Now whisk in the sugar mixture until smooth, and then stir in the cucumber mixture. Bring to a boil and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently.

Sterilize the jars and lids in hot water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the relish in the hot, sterilized jars until 1/4 inch from the top.

Run a knife around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a damp paper towel to remove any relish residue. Top with lids and screw on the rings.

Place a rack in the bottom of a large stock pan and fill half way with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars.

Pour in more boiling water if necessary because the water must be at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil and cover the pot; process for ten minutes.

Now remove the jars from the stock pot and place on a cloth covered surface until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with your finger, ensuring that the seal is tight. (The lid will NOT move up or down when you do this) Store in a dark and cool area. This fresh cucumber recipe is a great one to use up those cukes.




FRESH CUCUMBER RECIPE FOR CREAMY CUCUMBER TOASTIES

1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 pkg Good Seasonings Italian Dressing mix
1/4 cup homemade mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 English seedless cucumber, thinly sliced
2 tsp fresh dill (or to taste)
fresh dill for garnish

In a small bowl beat together the cream cheese, Italian dressing mix, mayo, sour cream and fresh dill. Salt and pepper to taste. Place dip on cracker and top with a slice of cucumber. Garnish with more fresh dill.