{"id":27078,"date":"2026-07-28T10:00:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/?p=27078"},"modified":"2026-07-03T11:32:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T15:32:05","slug":"all-about-cucumbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/2026\/07\/28\/all-about-cucumbers\/","title":{"rendered":"All About Cucumbers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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photo from Magnific<\/p><\/div>\n

By Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD<\/p>\n

Cucumber have goodness both inside and out. The interior of a cucumber contains ascorbic acid, vitamin C, and caffeic acid. The exterior, the skin, is rich in fiber and contains a variety of beneficial minerals including silica, potassium, and magnesium.<\/p>\n

The silica in cucumber is an essential component of healthy connective tissue, meaning that it might assist with skin health. Cucumber\u2019s high water content makes it naturally hydrating: no sports\u00a0beverages needed here! Cucumber slices are applied topically for various types of skin problems, facial puffiness and sunburn. Two compounds in cucumbers, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, prevent water retention, which may explain why cucumbers applied topically are often helpful for swollen eyes, minor burns, and annoying insect bites.<\/p>\n

Adding sliced or grated cucumber to salads is a way to increase fiber and water intake. If you don\u2019t care for the traditional thick cucumber skin, select an English or Persian cucumber, or varieties sold as \u201cpickling\u201d cucumbers. If you don\u2019t like the \u201cburp\u201d in cucumbers, peel them and don\u2019t eat the skin, or select English or Persian cucumbers, smaller in diameter, shorter in length, more solid in texture, and less \u201cburp\u201d factor than traditional cucumbers. The seeds are the culprit to cucumber indigestion.<\/p>\n

Cucumbers are very sensitive to heat, so choose those that are displayed in refrigerated cases or cool areas in the market. They should be firm, rounded at their edges, and their color should be a bright medium to dark green. Avoid cucumbers that are yellow, puffy, have sunken water-soaked areas, or are wrinkled at their tips. Thinner cucumbers will generally have less seeds than those that are thicker. Unwaxed cucumbers do not need to be peeled but should be washed before cutting. Waxed cucumbers should always be peeled first. Cucumbers can be sliced, diced, or cut into sticks.<\/p>\n

Cucumbers are easy to prepare. Slice them into rounds or cut them into sticks and munch away. You can shred or grate cucumbers and mix them into salad dressings or vegan yogurt, soft silken tofu, or\u00a0vegan sour cream. Cucumbers add a refreshing note to all menu items. Add sliced cucumbers to sandwiches and wraps for extra crunch. Make a fast gazpacho by mixing V8 (vegetable juice cocktail), salsa, and chopped cucumbers in a blender. Pur\u00e9e for the texture you like. Add white pepper or hot sauce for an extra zing.\u00a0Another method for a refreshing gazpacho soup that takes five minutes or less to make, simply pur\u00e9e cucumbers,\u00a0diced tomatoes, seeded bell peppers, and\u00a0diced onions, then add salt and pepper to taste.<\/p>\n

Did you know that you can use pur\u00e9ed cucumber to replace up to 75 % of the oil in salad dressing recipes? Pur\u00e9ed cucumbers can be used as a \u201csecret\u201d ingredient in smoothies and in mixed drinks.<\/p>\n

Some cucumber enjoying tips:<\/p>\n