"Cool as a cucumber" is a literal figure of speech. Cucumbers are a crisp and delicious antidote to summer heat and spicy foods in cuisines around the world. Japanese sunomono matches thin cucumber medallions with sugar and rice wine vinegar. Indian raita and Greek tzatziki mix cucumbers with palate-soothing yogurt. (Tzatziki is a great all-purpose dip or condiment: Combine 1/2 cup grated seeded peeled cucumber, 1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 minced garlic clove.)

In the United States, we toss cucumber into salads, but it has more versatility. Much like its close relation, zucchini, cucumber can be cooked. It can also be cubed and combined with fruit; try it with watermelon, pineapple, or grapefruit tossed with honey vinaigrette.

Cucumbers add a cool, refreshing crispness to salads and entrées. When shopping, look for blemish-free cucumbers with a dark green exterior. Softening first occurs at the ends, so feel the fruit to make sure it's fresh and firm. If you're buying from a supermarket, be sure to wash the cucumber with a vegetable brush before cutting; most have a waxy coating.

Cucumber Recipes
1. Cucumber Soup
2. Spicy Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
3. Cucumbers Vinaigrette
4. Broiled Salmon with Sweet-and-Sour Cucumbers
5. Black Bean Burgers with Spicy Cucumber and Red Pepper Relish

More Cucumber Recipes