Best 6 Cooking Cucumbers Recipes
Cooking cucumbers, also known as pickling cucumbers or gherkins, are a versatile and flavorful variety of cucumber, prized for their crisp texture and refreshing taste. Unlike slicing cucumbers, which are typically eaten fresh, cooking cucumbers are specially cultivated for their ability to withstand heat and maintain their shape and flavor when cooked. They are commonly used in a wide array of culinary preparations, from savory dishes to sweet and tangy pickles and relishes. With a slightly bitter skin and a tender, seedless interior, cooking cucumbers add a delightful crunch and vibrant flavor to salads, stir-fries, soups, and stews. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to experiment with new ingredients, cooking cucumbers offer endless possibilities for creating delicious and unforgettable meals.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SAUTEED CUCUMBERS
You may not have considered cucumbers for a vegetable sauté, but these will change your mind.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Peel cucumber, and cut into large chunks.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add cucumber and salt, and cook, tossing occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with dill or parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 39 g, Fat 3 g
ROASTED CUCUMBERS AND ONIONS WITH FRESH HERBS
I invented this recipe out of a need for a way to use the surplus cucumbers from a friend's garden this summer. I had never heard of someone roasting cucumbers, and a quick internet search turned up nothing, so I thought it would make an interesting culinary experiment. As it turned out, though, I discovered a new family favorite! This fast and easy recipe makes a great side dish for any occasion. Great with chicken or steak! I've even eaten it by itself for a light lunch. What more could you ask for?
Provided by jrh143
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Onion
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil. Spray the foil with olive oil cooking spray.
- Spread pieces of butter into the baking sheet and lay cucumber spears over the butter. Top with slices of sweet onion and scatter basil, parsley, cilantro, and mint over the top. Spray the vegetables again with olive oil cooking spray.
- Roast cucumber mixture in the preheated oven until cucumber spears begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Turn the cucumbers and onion slices over and return to oven; roast until cucumbers are tender, 15 to 20 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 67.2 calories, Carbohydrate 3.4 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 6 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 43.3 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC
In China, cucumbers are considered the ideal foil for hot weather and hot food. Versions of this salad, pai huang gua, are served all over the country, sometimes spiked with dried chiles and Sichuan peppercorns for more dimensions of flavor. In Beijing, people buy whole chilled cucumbers from street vendors and munch them on the go, much as Americans become attached to their cups of iced coffee in summer. The smashing process, a classic Chinese technique, cracks the skin, helps release the seeds and splits the flesh into appealing craggy pieces. Salting and chilling the cracked cucumbers give them the perfect cool, crunchy, watery mouth feel.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories salads and dressings, side dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
- On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
- Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
- When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.
QUICK PICKLED CUCUMBER RECIPE
Crunchy, briny quick pickled cucumbers with garlic and dill. I like to add sliced green onions and some jalapenos, sliced or halved, for a little kick. These refrigerator pickles are easy to make and are ready to enjoy the next day. These pickles are savory and a bit more tangy, if you like your pickles on the sweet side, add sugar to the brine (see notes below).
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Condiment
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Prepare the cucumbers. (Optional) Place the sliced cucumbers and some ice cubes in a colander in the sink for 20 minutes or so (this helps give them better crunch). Drain completely and pat dry.
- Make the Brine. In a saucepan, combine the vinegar, water, salt, mustard seed, coriander seed, peppercorn and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Pack cucumbers and vegetables in jars. Pack the cucumbers, green onions, jalapenos, garlic, and a few springs of dill in some wide-mouth jars (they should be packed tightly).
- Add the brine to the jars. Ladle the brine into the jars to cover the cucumbers (use the back of a spoon to push the cucumbers down to submerge). Give the jars a couple of taps to release any air bubbles and allow the cukes to settle.
- Cover tightly and refrigerate. Cover the jars tightly with their lids and refrigerate. For best results, allow the pickles a full night in the fridge before using, but you can enjoy them earlier if you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 35.3 kcal, Carbohydrate 4.4 g, Protein 1.2 g, Fat 1 g, Sodium 1095.1 mg, Fiber 1.5 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
COOKED CUCUMBER RECIPE (NOGAK NAMUL)
Cooked cucumber recipe or Korean Nogak Namul is a simple and delicious way to eat your old, overgrown, over ripe cucumbers. Regular cucumbers can also be used instead.
Provided by JinJoo Lee
Categories Side Dish
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Peel cucumber and cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out seeds from the center.
- Slice cucumber into thin slices.
- Chop garlic and green onions.
- Heat 2 Tbs perilla oil in frying pan on medium high.
- Add cucumbers, garlic and green onions.
- Sauté on medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Add 4 Tbs water to pan and continue cooking (2 min or so) until most of the water is gone.
- Serve warm or cold as side dish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 100 kcal, Carbohydrate 4 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 297 mg, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
STUFFED CUCUMBERS
For a change of pace, I like to serve these stuffed cucumbers in place of a lettuce salad. They're really refreshing, and a touch of French dressing makes them a colorful addition to any meal. -Mrs. Howard Phipps, Hernando, Mississippi
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 10m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Place seeds and pulp in a colander. Sprinkle with salt; drain for 30 minutes. , Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, green pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce and pepper; mix well. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons drained pulp. Spoon into cucumber shells; sprinkle with paprika. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with French dressing if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 181 calories, Fat 15g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 731mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 5g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right cucumber: English cucumbers, also known as seedless cucumbers, are best for slicing and salads. They have a long, thin shape and a mild flavor.
- Peel the cucumber if desired: Peeling the cucumber is not necessary, but it can help to remove any bitterness. If you do peel the cucumber, be sure to use a sharp knife to avoid bruising the flesh.
- Cut the cucumber into desired shapes: Cucumbers can be cut into slices, cubes, sticks, or any other desired shape. The shape of the cucumber will depend on the recipe you are using.
- Add cucumbers to salads: Cucumbers are a refreshing addition to any salad. They add a crunchy texture and a mild flavor. Cucumbers are especially good in salads with tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese.
- Use cucumbers in sandwiches: Cucumbers are a classic sandwich ingredient. They add a crunchy texture and a refreshing flavor. Cucumbers are especially good in sandwiches with tuna, chicken, or ham.
- Make cucumber soup: Cucumber soup is a refreshing and healthy summer soup. It is made with cucumbers, yogurt, and herbs. Cucumber soup is a great way to use up extra cucumbers.
- Pickle cucumbers: Pickling cucumbers is a great way to preserve them. Pickled cucumbers can be used in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish. There are many different recipes for pickled cucumbers, so you can find one that suits your taste.
Conclusion:
Cucumbers are a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a refreshing and healthy addition to any meal. With their mild flavor and crunchy texture, cucumbers are a great way to add flavor and texture to your favorite recipes. So next time you're looking for a healthy and refreshing snack or ingredient, reach for a cucumber. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love