Cool as Cucumbers

Here are some delicious ways to use cucumbers. (photo credit: bigstockphoto.com)

As the weather gets hot and the temperatures soar, cucumbers can help cool you down and fill you up.  What could be better than a cool cucumber salad to balance out the hot desert evenings that are a staple of Arizona in June?  This cylindrical member of the gourd family is native to India and Southern Asia which means it grows really well in hot conditions.  And since it is almost 90% water, it is a deliciously hydrating treat that will help you beat the summer heat.

Cucumbers are currently in season here in Arizona which means you should be able to find locally grown “cukes” at the farmers market or the grocery store.  To help you find ways to get more cool cucumbers onto your family’s plate this month, here are some great ideas for how to use them and where to find them right here at home.

1. Armenian Cucumber Salad
2. Cucumber Sandwiches
3. Fresh Cucumber Salad
4. Melon Cucumber Salad
5. Tzatziki Sauce
6. Creamy Dill Cucumber Toasties
7. Cool Cucumber Sandwich
8. Garden Pasta Salad
9. Greek Orzo Salad
10. Thai Cucumber Salad
11. Tangy Cucumber and Avocado Salad
12. Cucumber Cocktail
13. Indian Cucumber and Yogurt Salad
14. Tomato, Cucumber, and Feta Salad
15. Cold Cucumber Soup
16. Chinese Cucumber Salad
17. Watermelon Cucumber Salad
18. Red Onion and Cucumber Salad
19. Pesto Rubbed Baked Salmon with Smashed Cucumber and Green Apple Salad
20. Mexican Cucumber Martini
21. Spiced Beef Kabobs with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
22. Mango Cucumber Rice Salad
23. Cool Cucumber Salsa
24. Couscous and Cucumber Salad
25. Korean Cucumber Salad
26. Smoke Salmon Sushi Roll
27. Israeli Salad
28. Fresh Cucumber Carrot Salad
29. Chicken Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Cucumber Relish
30. Snap Pea Cucumber Salad

Who Grows Cucumbers in Arizona?

• Big Happy’s Farm in Mesa
• Crooked Carrot Farm in Queen Creek
• Desert Roots Farm in Queen Creek
• Duncan’s Trading Company in Litchfield Park
• Elfrida Community Garden in Elfrida
• Granite Creek Vineyard’s Prairie Sun Farm in Chino Valley
• KB Farms in Cottonwood
• Lucky Nickel Ranch in Eloy
• Marana Farmer’s Coop in Marana
• Mortimer Family Farms in Dewey
• Richcrest Farms in Cochise
• Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek
• The Simple Farm in Scottsdale
• Tolmachoff Farms in Glendale
• Tonopah Rob’s Vegetable Farm in Tonopah

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