It's cucumber season!
My gardening friends are starting to exclaim over their cucumber harvest, which is still in its earliest stages. Over the next month or so, cucumbers are set to start exploding all over the country. If you have only ever had supermarket cucumbers, then you owe it to yourself to find a nearby farmer's market and sample some of the dazzling variety of cucumbers that exist in the world. Lemon cucumbers are my favorite, but really I like just about any cucumber.
A lot of people look down on cucumbers because they are "just water and crunch." Personally, that is exactly what I like about them. Water, crunch, and a refreshing taste. These three qualities also make cucumbers an excellent food for a hot summer's day.
Cucumbers are traditionally sliced into rounds and served as a salad topping. But why stop there? You can make a whole entire salad mainly out of cucumbers, and it is delicious. Just toss together cucumber slices, finely sliced red onions, and a basic vinaigrette and let it marinade in the fridge for at least a few hours before serving. For a little more oomph, try adding minced garlic, ginger, and chives. Or dress it with a sour cream and dill dressing. So delicious!
You can always make cucumber sandwiches, if you feel like playing "Aging British Aristocracy" at home. Personally I don't really like them. I like the idea of cucumber sandwiches, but in practice I found that the cucumber leaks all over the bread and the whole thing turns soggy. I'm sure there is a way around this; I just haven't bothered to try.
Cucumber is also amazing in beverages. I have been seeing cucumber limeade in the store and on restaurant menus lately. Here's a recipe if you want to make some at home. Cucumber also pairs well with vodka or gin at cocktail hour.
Image courtesy Flickr/karenandbrademerson