Cucumber Meals, Snacks and Sides
Cucumbers are one of those summer staples that appearing as a main dish, side show or a crunchy snack. Either way, it has a delightful light flavor and is hydrating and full of nutrients.
- Lots of Vitamin K – good for bone health and anti blood clotting.
- About 10% of your Vitamin C needs (good for the immune system)
- 10% of your potassium needs – good for muscle function and helps regulate blood pressure.
Cut Cucumbers into uniform small pieces.
Cucumbers work well with radishes, celery, peppers, onions, endive, olives and other fun salad fixings. Add a small amount (easy there) of rice and a protein – like chic peas, canned chicken or tuna – and toss together with a light dressing and you’ve got yourself a healthy meal! Nothing fried here.
Slice Cucumbers for a nice side dish
The “cucumber as a side” dish is one of my favorites when going out to eat. It usually has a distinctive dressing and has only cucumbers and onions and maybe sour cream in it – if you’ve got some European relatives coaching you on the recipe. Either way I’m sure the kitchen will surprise you. Leave the old crusty fries for the non-veggie eaters. You’ll order something fresh and be healthier.
Cucumber and Soy Sauce
One of my favorite combos is slicing up cucumbers into spears, adding them to a zip lock bag and adding soy, ginger and lemons. This flavor combination is one that I go back to often. Cucumbers and Soy Sauce is my side dish or snack whenever I need something to munch on. Less chips in this house!
Move Over Avocado Toast – Welcome Cucumbers!
If you layer thin cucumbers on your tuna and then sprinkle some dill – wow what a flavorful lunch you’d have! A crunch from the cukes along with the smooth tuna – very tasty and a healthy way to eat. Grab some small cherry tomatoes off the vine for a burst of flavor as well. I toast that bread for strong support but consider buying the pre-toasted bread – that is always a fun add to your shopping list. There is a Bimbo brand that is very popular and will support your layered lunch.
Cucumber Water
Have you ever had cucumber infused water? It is very refreshing and tasty. I was with a friend at a Pho place and they filled our glasses high with cool cucumber water and I thought that was a very nice touch. Such a simple thing to do – it sets the tone for a delicious meal.
People also like to add cucumbers in mixed drinks for extra flavor and flair too. Make a ribbon of a thin cucumber (use that Y peeler) and add it to your cocktail. Everyone will think you trained somewhere exotic! Leave the skin on so the dark green stands out on the edge of the cucumber. If you need a Y peeler see my link here to purchase one from Amazon. Add it to your next shopping list.
Cucumbers in the Garden are a Winner
If you neglected to plant cucumbers this year – shame on you! Look at all these great combinations of meals, snacks and drinks you can make with this nutritious plant. Now if you’ve over planted cucumbers (I like I suspect I have) cucumbers make a lovely neighborly gift. Just set out some boxes on your front lawn, write “FREE” using a big marker and watch them disappear into the ether. You now help your community by sharing cucumbers from the garden! Nice.
Whatever you do, be sure to plant cucumbers every season. They can grow vertical very easily with the right support. My cucumbers are planted near the side of my house and I have a wire trellis they have discovered and are going up for more space. It’s looking great and a good use of space in my small garden plot here in South Jersey.
Enjoy your cucumbers! More recipes to come – Gina