Cucumbers

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1 Food 5 Ways

Cucumbers

Fresh ideas for a surprisingly versatile vegetable

BY Rochelle Palermo

Here’s a fun fact: thanks to its high water content, the inside of a cucumber can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the temperature outside in a hot summer garden. In fact, we’ve found that this crisp, juicy veggie can stand up to just about any type of heat you toss its way, from spicy-hot chiles and ginger-laced dressings to intense blender speeds and broiler oven settings.

Nutritional Profile
1/2 cup unpeeled sliced cucumber contains the following:

â?¢ 8 calories
â?¢ 50 g water
â?¢ 5 g sugar
â?¢ 1.5 mg vitamin C
â?¢ 4 mcg folate

Know Your Cukes
Cucumber varieties are interchangeable in recipes, though certain types lend themselves better to certain dishes.

GARDEN, COMMON, OR FIELD-GROWN The familiar, year-round salad staple with a sweet, slightly citrusy flavor.

ENGLISH, HOTHOUSE, OR BURPLESS Longer, smoother, and greener than garden cucumbers; some chefs prefer these for their thin skin, small seeds, and mild flavor.

JAPANESE Long and bumpy, with a thin skin and delicate flavor.

KIRBY Shorty and bumpy; ideal for pickling.

LEMON Round, yellow heirloom variety that’s gorgeous in salads and pickles.

PERSIAN Small, slender, and thin-skinned, with sweet flesh and small seeds.

September 2011 p.70