Cucumber Recipes

Joyce's Indonesian fried rice (nasi goreng): the classic Southeast Asian fried rice with shrimp paste, tamarind, and ketjap manis, loaded with shrimp, chicken, and barbecued pork. Dinner for four in 45 minutes.

Classic cucumber sour cream salad with dill seed, chives, white vinegar, and a kick of Tabasco. Salt-drained slices stay crisp and cool under a tangy, creamy dressing.

Roasted red potato salad with fresh corn, cucumber, tomato, and a cilantro vinaigrette. No mayo, just olive oil and vinegar for a light summer side.

Okroshka, a chilled Russian meat and vegetable soup with diced cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, sour cream, and mustard in an apple cider base standing in for traditional kvass.

Marinated cucumber and red bell pepper salad: crisp cucumber, sweet pepper, and slippery bean thread noodles tossed in Italian dressing and basil, chilled until they soak up the tang. A light, make-ahead salad.

Couscous salad with chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and fresh parsley tossed in a lemon-garlic vinaigrette with Dijon and ground coriander.

Classic cucumber sandwiches on whole wheat with buttery layers, white wine vinegar snap, green onion, and fresh dill. Elegant finger food for tea time, ready in an hour.

Quick fresh-pack dill pickles canned in pint jars with mustard seed, dill heads, and a hot vinegar brine. The classic American summer canning project, no fermenting required.

Crisp cucumber, slivered fennel, and tart Granny Smith apple tossed in an orange-mint walnut oil vinaigrette. A refreshing no-cook salad ready in 15 minutes.

Ice water pickles, classic homestead cider-vinegar pickles with cucumber spears, onions, and mustard seed. The ice-water soak gives them crisp snap that lasts in the jar.

Chinese sliced pork rolls with cucumber sticks wrapped in thin-cut simmered pork, drizzled with a garlic chili sauce of dark soy, sesame oil, and chili oil. A cold appetizer with crunch and heat.

Melon, cucumber, and tomato salad tossed in a lemon-mint dressing with fresh parsley. A refreshing vegan summer salad that balances sweet, tangy, and herbal flavors.

Creamy tuna dip spiked with brandy, made with cream cheese, sour cream, and a dash of hot sauce. Whip it up in 20 minutes and serve with crackers, French bread, or fresh veggies. The ultimate party-ready appetizer.

A fiery Caribbean stoba with lamb simmered alongside habaneros, bell peppers, tomatoes, and allspice, then finished with cucumber, olives, and capers. Slow-cooked island comfort in every spoonful.

Cold white-cut pork is a Cantonese classic: boneless pork leg gently poached with ginger, scallions, and rice wine, then ice-shocked and chilled. Sliced paper-thin for dipping in soy or chili oil.

Old-fashioned sour pickles brined with salt, vinegar, mustard seed, allspice, cinnamon, and mace. A traditional canning recipe ready after 8 weeks of curing.