Recipes with cucumbers

Indian-style pasta salad with curried pork, julienned cucumber, and elbow macaroni in a vinaigrette-mayo dressing. Marinated shredded pork and salted cucumber give this cold salad serious depth.

Low-calorie cottage cheese plate with fresh vegetables or tropical fruit, a hard-boiled egg, and rye crisp crackers. A high-protein, no-cook light lunch on a bed of lettuce.

Curried orzo and chicken salad with marinated artichoke hearts, cucumber, green peas, and a tangy artichoke-mayonnaise dressing. A cold pasta salad with warm curry flavor.

Andalusian gazpacho with 3 pounds of fresh tomatoes, bread, garlic, olive oil, and white wine vinegar, served ice-cold with a spread of diced vegetable garnishes. No cooking required.

Veal chops in spicy sauce: braised with cumin, saffron, coriander, and cayenne, then finished with a cool cucumber-yogurt spoon sauce. Warm spice meets bright tang in one Dutch oven.

Kipper pate slices layer creamy smoked fish on golden puff pastry, finished with a cool cucumber-mint dressing. A British appetizer that handles a dinner party with quiet confidence.

Uunissa paistettu hauki, the Finnish whole baked pike stuffed with rice, cucumber, hard-cooked eggs, chives and parsley, browned in butter and finished in the oven until firm and flaky.

Thai-style grilled beef salad with charred sirloin over crisp romaine, cucumber, radishes, and herbs, tossed in a fiery fish sauce and chili dressing. A bright summer main in 30 minutes.

These scrumptious salmon rolls can be served plain or can accompany any meal you prepare for dinner.

Thai-style fried rice with red curry paste, green beans, and garlic, finished with fresh cucumber, cilantro, and scallions. Ready in 30 minutes, vegetarian, and easily made gluten-free.

Cheesy pita sandwiches with microwave-melted Swiss cheese stuffed with an Italian-dressed salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, alfalfa sprouts, and peppers. A quick vegetarian lunch in 5 minutes.

Greek-style burger sauce with yogurt, cucumber, mint, oregano, cumin, and a splash of red wine. A homemade tzatziki-inspired topping for grilled burgers.

Classic tabbouleh salad with bulgur wheat, fresh tomatoes, cucumber, mint, parsley, and a lemon-olive oil dressing. A no-cook Middle Eastern grain salad that improves as it chills.

A Greek lamb salad of lemon-and-rosemary marinated lamb, griddled and sliced over a loaded tomato, cucumber, and olive salad with a herby dressing and crumbled feta. A summery main-course salad.

Cucumber dip with pita crisps is a light yogurt and sour cream dip with shredded cucumber, garlic, mint, and cilantro. Served with homemade whole wheat pita chips. Ready in 25 minutes.

Fresh papaya salsa with diced tomato, cucumber, scallion, jalapeño, and cilantro brightened with lime juice. No cooking, just chop and chill.