Cucumber my favorite in summer

cucumber cut ready to eat  - ready to eat cucumber
India
April 27, 2013 4:26am CST
Cucumber is full of minerals I am told, it has high water content; we have it in the vegetable market around the year; but now you can find in plenty. I usually eat cucumber as salad with onion, carrot, tomato almost daily. This morning my son bought green cucumber, my wife cut them (see picture) put little salt inside each sprinkled red chili powder and black peeper powder, so yummy, lol it tastes great and supplies not only water but also minerals. [b]So how do you eat cucumber? What salad is your favorite? Do you have them in your place? [/b] NOTE- In picture you see the ends of cucumber cut, why I will tell you tomorrow. [b]It has something to do with bitterness of cucumber; tell me how you remove if you find the cucumber bitter. Please respond comment.[/b] Thanks in advance. Professor Dr. Bhuwan Saraf. PhD. April 27. 2013. Cheers have a lucky day ahead [i][/i]
7 people like this
26 responses
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
27 Apr 13
Hello Sir, Cucumber is available in plenty and in cheap rate in summer season. It is summer here too and I am noticing there is a huge crowd around the cucumber seller in the vegetable market on every day evening. So it clearly shows the importance of cucumber among people especially in summer season. To remove the bitter taste, just cut the edge and rub both edges together, the fluid will come out which is white in colour then after washing the cucumber is ready without the bitter taste. Adding salt and lemon juice on cucumber slices will add the taste. In summer season usage of pepper should be reduced. We also added the same in curd which is also delicious.
3 people like this
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
27 Apr 13
Hello Viju, How are you Heard that your native place is breaking the record of heat (41 degree). Why dear?
2 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Sree beti Were you out to native place, i had called your phone 2x, Thanks for response. We do the same here to remove bitterness.
3 people like this
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
27 Apr 13
Hi Sree Good to see you after a while. I also love cucumber with curd. At times i also make the typical 'kichadi' (mallu style - that's again tasty). Sir, Some of the cucumber remains bitter even if we remove the milk as suggested by sree.
• India
27 Apr 13
I am also fond of CUCUMBER i.e. when it is green, I don't like once it turns yellowish. I like to slice in the lengthwise i.e. into 4 pieces and eat it with black salt. I remember in my childhood when I used to visit my native place i.e. Kolkata, while travelling by train within the city, I used to eat cucumber with black salt almost every day. Even in Chennai now a days after returning from office I eat cucumber sometimes.
• India
27 Apr 13
When it is left in tree or even in home it turns yellow, no more tasty as salad but good for sour curry using curd or tamarind, i too used to travel daily by train from here to Jharsuguda ; i was daily costumer, so i had 50% discount on each piece and they gave me bigger but tender ones.
1 person likes this
• India
28 Apr 13
Very true the yellow one can be consumed only when we use them in "RAYTA" with curd and other vegetables like onion, tomato, green chili, coriander leaves etc. Even today morning also I bought cucumber from the supermarket and had it in the breakfast and while buying I was remembering this discussion.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
27 Apr 13
They are my favorite veggie of summer! I love to eat them. I have always prefered them over any other salad fixing. I can eat them in several different ways. A nice fresh one with salt and pepper is the best for me though. They are high in vitamins and they do have lots of water in them. Your plate of them is making me hungry for one. I hope that ours are productive in our garden this year.
• India
27 Apr 13
It is favorite of many, so you have planted this year; good.
1 person likes this
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
27 Apr 13
I love eating cucumber in vinegar with a dash of salt, sugar and pepper. It my favorite as well as my dad's.
3 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Eat plenty dear no harm, you are not going to add weight.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Apr 13
Cucumber is a versatile veggie. One can make a salad out of it by simply putting some vinegar, salt, ground black pepper and sugar and of course the sliced cucumber. I like it when it's so crunchy. And i also like the bottled small pickled cucumbers that i buy from my boss, which also came from the nuns who sells it to her. They are so crispy to the bite.
3 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Thanks for detailed response, were you sick? Some how i felt so?
2 people like this
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
29 Apr 13
Well, i am now well from my pneumonia and my cholesterol has normalized, professor. However, my latest laboratory exams showed that i had UTI. But i think it's not a sickness but just something i could get well, with proper care. The doctor didn't give me antibiotics anymore since i just had a week ago during my bout of pneumonia. Instead she told me to drink lots of water and be back after 7 days for another urinalysis to see if it has gone away. So, now i keep drinking water and i bought cranberry juice, because it is said that it is an effective home remedy for UTI. I really hope it will take away that.
1 person likes this
@viju0410 (2286)
• India
27 Apr 13
hi sir, We prefer salad or raita (cucumber sliced and mixed with curd, green chillies and coconut). other than eating, i use them to cleanse my face, it is one of the best home remedy for the puffiness in eyes. Also cucumber juice with yogurt is very helpful in making the skin toned and smooth..
3 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Add grated coconut to your raita; it tastes great, keeping slices of this on eye is useful too.
1 person likes this
@tigeraunt (6326)
• Philippines
27 Apr 13
dearest professor, I see cucumber all year round and it is best in salad or as added stuff for sandwiches. as a Filipino, I love vinegar in my salad. I just do with about 4 spoonfuls, I add sugar and ground black pepper to the vinegar, and place the sliced cucumbers, toss and presto! another way is by adding tomatoes, onions, black salted beans, and tossing with vinegar and putting broiled meat sliced cut to mouth bite sizes. good with rice. my sandwiches - I spread mayonnaise on the cut bread, put some patties, then sliced tomatoes and ring onions, mustard and cucumber rings and lettuce. you get the crispiness as your teeth bites into it. yummy! cucumbers' end is bitter so I take it out as well. ann
3 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Honey Thanks for details, i will ask Vidya to try, but no meat, ok?
2 people like this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
28 Apr 13
hello dada, I eat the cucumber with vinegar and salt. I peel off the skin, wash and sliced it thin then pour some vinegar and salt. I let it stand for half an hour and eat. Sometimes I just eat it as it is. Have a great weekend
2 people like this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
28 Apr 13
Better you use apple cider vinegar- it's more healthy dada.
2 people like this
• India
28 Apr 13
Ok I will ask my grocery supplier, thanks.
1 person likes this
• India
28 Apr 13
Jane beti Most from your country tell about vinegar, we don't use it normally, but tomorrow i will buy, vinegar is diluted acetic acid, i have pure glacial acetic acid; very strong, if kept over palm it will burn it badly, can i use after dilution? Some one told about natural fermented vinegar----- it is called 'SIRKA' here; vey sour. YOU ARE BLESSED.
1 person likes this
@anil02 (24688)
• India
28 Apr 13
hello sir, yes cucumber is full of minerals and it is also best source of fiber. In these days it is available at 10 to 15 Rs per kg. I like ear it with salt and black pepper some time I also use lemon. I like to ear with skin. We should ear it before 15 minutes of meal. The best way to remove bitterness of it is break it from the middle.
2 people like this
@anil02 (24688)
• India
29 Apr 13
How can I decide that it is hybrid or not?
2 people like this
• India
30 Apr 13
Hybrids look good bigger but not tasty dear. Is this avatar picture yours.
2 people like this
• India
28 Apr 13
Always buy local, small ones, not hybrid, i don't think breaking in to 2 halves removes bitterness.
2 people like this
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
27 Apr 13
Hi, I also like to eat cucumber. We eat cucumber, carrot, beet, onion, radish etc. as a salad. We cut cucumber into fine pieces, add some curd, peanut powder, some salt, some sugar, cur coriander leaves and mix it well and enjoy salad of cucumber. It tastes very delicious. Sometimes the cucumber is so bitter that we can't eat it. We also cut the ends of the cucumber. As it has more water contents it is good to at cucumber in summer.
3 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
I think all like this, well we have 2 varieties here, the one in picture and other thin and longer; do you know english name of that.
1 person likes this
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
27 Apr 13
We eat alot of cucumbers in salads here in mexico. Also on the streets they are sold with chili sauce. Very cheap and popular here.
2 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
So it is popular every where.
1 person likes this
• Mexico
27 Apr 13
I think so, they were in usa and also here in Mexico....
1 person likes this
@mawee79 (403)
• Italy
27 Apr 13
I really like them too! Especially in summer when there are hot temperatures!
2 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Well good, eat plenty of it lol.
1 person likes this
• India
28 Apr 13
Thanks for response marina. Welcome to mylot
1 person likes this
• China
28 Apr 13
I also like eating the cucumber,sometimes i use it to DIY the facial mask, it can keep your skin fresh and smooth !
2 people like this
@emily7339 (1337)
• Malaysia
27 Apr 13
I love cucumber too especially organic cucumber. It is sweet. I will eat it by itself together with the skin if it is organic. However, my dad told me cucumber has a lot of insecticide. He came to know from one farmer who possess a cucumber farm. He will spray a lot of insecticide especially towards the harvest time . So, I have stopped eating non-organic cucumber ever since. And I always look for orgainc cucumber
3 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
dear emily your dad is right, to prevent insects farmers spray insecticides , they are strong poison, here we wash with warm water; one can't get insecticide free stuff.
1 person likes this
• Canada
28 Apr 13
Sir, As you rightly said, cucumber is just a wonder snack. From health benefits, to nourishment, and even for a beautfil skin. It is my go to snack everytime, because it is amazing, raw, with sauces. I normaly eat it by jjust cutting it up. Sometimes, when there is more time during the day, i add, black salt, pepper, chat masala and a hint of lemon juice, and it is just amazing when it is a litle chilled. I have used to for my eyes at time, just by placing two slices on my eyes, and it is a greatly reducess the puffiness, and those dark cicles under the eyes. Why invest in exxpnesive chemicals, when nature has given us such gifts. I love cucumber, and it makes salads and sandwiches much more fun to eat, with that crunch and water! :)
2 people like this
• India
30 Apr 13
Mother Nature has so many things for us, we must know how to use.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
27 Apr 13
Hello Professor 2010. I love cucumber and I would say it is a favorite vegetable. For a salad I like cucumber, lettuce, cress and spring onion. I like a vinegar tasting thick sort of salad dressing. I don't like a bitter taste. I would hate red chili powder and I detest tomatoes. I will be eating a salad sandwich for dinner tonight. My three year old daughter loves cucumber too.
2 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Dear max Yes taste differs from person to person, many don't like chilli
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
27 Apr 13
I love to eat cucumber and buy cucumbers very often from the market. Usually we cook cucumbers with lean pork, but I prefer it to be cooked with some garlic. We also eat it in raw, but I am now interested in the way you introduced here, putting a little salt inside each sprinkled red chili powder and black powder. Next time I would like to taste it this way. Thanks for the discussion, Professor.
2 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
I assure you Williams, it is plain but tastes great.
1 person likes this
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
28 Apr 13
I believe the way to get rid of the bitterness is to cut the two ends off first. The way I eat my cucumber is either in a regular salad with lettuce, tomatoes and carrots or in my macaroni salad. I also love to eat it just like that plain. It is so refreshing and delicious not to mention very healthy for us. I'm trying to grow them in my yard but haven't succeeded yet. My husbands cousin who lives not to far away has grown them and they are delicious so much better then store brought.
2 people like this
• India
28 Apr 13
Thanks for the details. I have made a separate discussion about bitterness, a friend farmer told, it depends upon soil.
1 person likes this
@succeednow (1633)
• Singapore
27 Apr 13
Hi prof, I usually eat my cucumbers as salad and I like the Japanese type - small, crunchy, a bit sweet and nice flavor. Although this variety is not bitter I will remove the skin by shaving as I'm afraid there's pesticide left on the skin. Enjoy your cucumbers and have a nice day.
2 people like this
• India
27 Apr 13
Some pesticides still remain, better wash it, though we lose some minerals, enjoy eating.
1 person likes this
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
28 Apr 13
Hi, It is a popular fruit vegetable here and one of my favorite too. I use to mix it with vinegar and sugar for the sweet-sour taste. Other non-conventional use is to mix it with sashimi-style raw seafood with red hot peppers and spices in vinegar. The bitter taste is due to the concentration of chemicals near the stalk and i should be cut and not included in the menu.
2 people like this
• India
28 Apr 13
Thanks for response.Yes i agree they accumulate near ends hence need removal, Have never tried with vinegar.
1 person likes this
@srisahara (4508)
• Indonesia
28 Apr 13
In hot weather, I prefer water melon than cucumber. I love sweet fruits, I think it contains a lot of carbohydrates and minerals.In my country water melon is very cheap and available throughout the year than cucumber. I love cucumber just for special menu of my meal, but water melon always stay in my serving. Yes, my family love it.
• India
28 Apr 13
Thanks for details friend, do you make Sarbat from ripe water melon, Remove outer skin, seeds cut to pieces add sugar blend well; add rosewater; drink can be kept in freeze.
1 person likes this