Summer is the season for cucumbers. If you have a vegetable garden, grow them in your backyard, or simply received a bounty of them, you might find yourself with many cucumbers to eat in a few days. After the first few salads, however, the question is always the same: how to use them without getting bored and without wasting them?
The good news is that cucumber is an incredibly versatile vegetable. It can be the star of appetizers, sauces, side dishes, preserves, and even hot dishes. What's more, the peel is also edible and rich in nutritional properties: if the cucumber is organic and well washed, it can be used in numerous preparations instead of being discarded.
Discover five simple and delicious recipes from our column Zero wastes to give new life to cucumbers and enhance them in cooking.
Why not waste cucumbers
The cucumber is one of the quintessential summer vegetables thanks to its delicate flavor and extraordinary refreshing qualities. It is more than 95% water, is low in calories, and is ideal for those who want to follow a light, balanced diet rich in vegetables.
In addition to its high water content, it provides fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and minerals like potassium. In particular, many of these nutrients are concentrated in the skin, which is why, whenever possible, it is advisable to eat it after thoroughly washing the cucumber.
Naturally, it's important to only use fresh, intact cucumbers. If they show signs of mold, a bad smell, or clear signs of deterioration, it's best not to consume them.
Reducing waste doesn't mean using food that is no longer suitable for consumption, but rather making the most of fresh ingredients, preventing them from unnecessarily ending up in organic waste collection.
How to store cucumbers longer
Proper storage allows you to keep them fresh for longer and avoid unnecessary waste.
Store the cucumbers in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator without washing them before storing them. Washing is only recommended just before use. This way, they can stay fresh for about a week.
If you already know you have them in abundance, you can transform them into preparations that keep longer, such as pickled preserves or sauces to use in the following days. It's a simple way to organize the kitchen and prevent cucumbers from losing their freshness.
5 Zero-Waste Recipes with Cucumbers
- Salsa fresca with cucumber peel
One of the simplest recipes to enhance cucumber is to prepare a fresh sauce using its peel.
You just need to blend the peel of a well-washed cucumber with plain yogurt, half a clove of garlic, a few mint leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. After about an hour of resting in the refrigerator, you'll get a fresh and fragrant cream, ideal for accompanying raw vegetables, meat, fish, or for serving at a summer aperitif.
- Cucumber rolls with crescenza cheese and cherry tomatoes
A fresh, colorful, no-cook appetizer, perfect for summer.
Slice the cucumber very thinly lengthwise using a mandoline. Stuff each slice with crescenza cheese, add diced cherry tomatoes, a few fresh basil leaves, and a grind of pepper. Gently roll them up into small rolls and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
A simple yet impressive recipe, also ideal for buffets and aperitifs.
- Homemade pickled cucumbers
If you really have a lot of cucumbers to use up, this is one of the best solutions.
Slice them into rounds or sticks and place them in sterilized jars. Cover them with a mixture of water, vinegar, peppercorns, and, if desired, mustard seeds or dill. After a few days of resting, they will be ready to enjoy as a side dish, in hamburgers, in sandwiches, or in hearty summer salads.
A traditional recipe that allows you to extend the shelf life of cucumbers without sacrificing flavor.
- Cucumber Gazpacho
When temperatures rise, a cold soup is always a good idea.
Blend the cucumbers with Greek yogurt, fresh basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth and velvety. Serve it well chilled with some toasted croutons or a few mint leaves.
Light, refreshing, and ready in minutes, it's perfect as an appetizer or a quick lunch.
- Grilled cucumbers with herbs
Few people know it, but cucumbers can also be enjoyed cooked.
Cut them in half lengthwise, brush them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and cook them for a few minutes on a well-heated grill. Finish with thyme, oregano, grated lemon zest, and a grind of black pepper.
You will get an original side dish with a delicate flavor, perfect to accompany meat, fish, or fresh cheeses.
A tip for Zero Waste
Even the ends of cucumbers and small trimmings left over during preparation can find new life in the kitchen. Add them to smoothies, juices, or infused waters along with lemon, ginger, and mint: you'll get a fresh and thirst-quenching drink, perfect for warmer days.
Also remember that if you use organic or well-washed cucumbers, the peel can become a valuable ingredient for many recipes, thus avoiding unnecessary waste.
Discover more ideas Zero wastes And all of our Bontà di Stagiones:
- Don't throw away carrot tops: Discover 5 simple and tasty recipes.
- Do you have many cherry tomatoes? Here 5 Zero Waste Recipes to Make the Most of Them.
- Browse all recipes in the section Zero wastes by Bontà di Stagione.
- Try ours too Gazpacho fresh, prepared with cucumbers and seasonal vegetables.
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