Introducing cucumbers and convenient cooking utensils to enjoy this summer!
table of contents
- 1 What kind of vegetable is a cucumber?
- 2 Characteristics of cucumbers and how to choose them
- 3 How to store cucumbers and tips for preparing them
- 4 Cucumber dishes from around the world and their history
- 5 Recommended items for enjoying cucumber dishes
- 6 summary
- 7 Introducing our special recipes for epi recipes
What kind of vegetable is a cucumber?
Cucumbers are a familiar part of the daily diet of Japanese people, but they are actually a vegetable that was introduced from overseas. Their origins are ancient, and they are believed to have originated in the Himalayan foothills in northwestern India. Cultivation of cucumbers began around 2000 BC, and they are said to have spread to various parts of the world via the Silk Road
There are records that show that cucumbers were included in the diet of workers engaged in the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt. Also, in ancient Rome, Emperor Tiberius was so fond of cucumbers that he is said to have cultivated them in greenhouses. In this way, cucumbers have been a beloved vegetable all over the world since ancient times
It is believed to have been introduced to Japan via China around the 6th century. Initially, it was called "cucumber" and treated as a medicinal plant. During the Edo period, it became popular as a common vegetable, and the way it is eaten today was established
Characteristics of cucumbers and how to choose them
Cucumbers are known as a typical summer vegetable. They are mostly made up of water and have a cooling effect on the body, making them the perfect vegetable for the hot summer. Nowadays, thanks to improvements in cultivation techniques, they can be obtained all year round, but their natural season is from June to September. As they are abundant in the market during this time, the price drops, making them a vegetable that is easy on the household budget
How to identify fresh cucumbers
Here are some tips to help you choose a good quality cucumber:
| Checkpoint | detail |
|---|---|
| Color and gloss | Deep green with a glossy, firm surface |
| Surface condition | Those that are not shriveled and have warts that are so sharp they hurt (some varieties do not have warts) |
| Heta state | Fresh cuts with no blackened edges |
| shape | The thickness should be as uniform as possible and there should be minimal bending |
How to store cucumbers and tips for preparing them
Cucumbers are a vegetable that thrives on freshness, so knowing how to store them properly will help them stay fresh for longer
How to store in the refrigerator
The basic method is to store them in a plastic bag, standing upright in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. Cucumbers do not like the cold, so be careful not to chill them too much. The temperature of the vegetable compartment (about 3-5°C) is ideal. We recommend storing them for about 3-4 days, and eating them while they are still fresh
How to freeze
Cucumbers are not suitable for freezing as is. If you want to freeze them, it is best to slice them into rounds, rub them with salt, and then store them. Rubbed with salt removes excess moisture, making it easier to maintain its texture even after thawing. Frozen cucumbers can be used in salads and other dishes
Cucumber dishes from around the world and their history
Cucumbers are used in a variety of cuisines around the world. Here are some notable Italian cucumber recipes. In Italy, cucumbers are popular as appetizers and snacks, and when combined with olive oil and herbs, they offer a refreshing taste
Italian salad with tofu and cucumber
This is a creative dish that combines Italian and Japanese ingredients. Dressed with olive oil and herb salt, it makes a refreshing appetizer
Ingredients (for 4 people)
| material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Silk tofu | 1 knife (300g) |
| Cucumber | Two |
| Cherry tomato | 8 |
| Yellow pepper | 1/2 pieces |
| extra virgin olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Herb Salt | 1 tsp |
| powdered cheese | 2 tbsp |
| basil leaves | Appropriate amount |
How to make it
- Preparing the ingredients: Drain the tofu and cut it into 2cm cubes. Cut the cucumber into 1cm slices without peeling it, sprinkle with a little salt (not included in the recipe), leave for about 5 minutes, and squeeze out the water. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and the peppers into 1cm cubes
- Mix the extra virgin olive oil and herb salt in a bowl and mix well. This simple dressing will bring out the flavor of the ingredients
- Mix the ingredients. Place the prepared tofu, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and peppers in a bowl and gently mix with the dressing. Mix carefully with a rubber spatula to avoid breaking up the tofu
- Finishing touch: Serve in a serving dish and sprinkle with plenty of grated cheese. Garnish with basil leaves to complete a gorgeous looking Italian salad. Chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to make it even more delicious
Cucumber carpaccio
Carpaccio is originally an Italian dish made of thinly sliced raw beef and seasoned with spices, but today versions using seafood and vegetables are also widely popular. Cucumber carpaccio is a simple yet sophisticated dish
Ingredients (for 4 people)
| material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cucumber | Three |
| Balsamic Vinegar | 2 tbsp |
| extra virgin olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Parmesan cheese (grated) | 30g |
| Black pepper | Appropriate amount |
| rock salt | A little |
How to make it
- Cucumber preparation Cut off both ends of the cucumber and use a peeler to thinly slice it lengthwise. You can also use a slicer, but it's better to slice it a little thicker to enjoy the texture
- Arrange the cucumber slices on a platter, overlapping them slightly to form a beautiful flower petal pattern. Arranging them from the center outwards will create a more vibrant appearance
- Pour the dressing over the balsamic vinegar, then the extra virgin olive oil. This order is important, as the olive oil will mellow out the acidity of the balsamic vinegar
- To finish, sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and ground black pepper. Finally, sprinkle with a little rock salt and it's done. Serve immediately
Cold cucumber and anchovy pasta
This refreshing cold pasta is perfect for a hot summer day. The saltiness of the anchovies and the freshness of the cucumber are a perfect match
Ingredients (for 4 people)
| material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti (thin) | 320g |
| Cucumber | Two |
| Anchovy fillet | 8 sheets |
| garlic | 2 pieces |
| extra virgin olive oil | 6 tablespoons |
| Lemon juice | 2 tbsp |
| Italian parsley | Appropriate amount |
| salt | Appropriate amount |
| Black pepper | Appropriate amount |
How to make it
- Preparing the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and boil the spaghetti for 1 minute longer than the packaged time. Once cooked, rinse thoroughly in cold water and drain well
- Preparing the cucumber and anchovies: Cut the cucumber into thin strips, sprinkle with a little salt, leave for about 5 minutes, then squeeze out the water. Finely chop the anchovies and mince the garlic
- Make the sauce: Add half the olive oil to a frying pan and fry the garlic over low heat. When the aroma comes out, add the anchovies and fry while mashing them with a wooden spoon. Turn off the heat and let them cool slightly
- Mix everything together. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cucumber, anchovy sauce, remaining olive oil, and lemon juice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper
- Serving: Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley, and drizzle with additional olive oil if desired
Recommended items for enjoying cucumber dishes
To make cucumber dishes more delicious and fun, it's useful to have the following items:
Cooking utensils
A slicer or julienne cutter will help you cut the cucumber evenly, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing dish
Vegetable preparation is an essential part of everyday cooking. Slicing vegetables thinly with a knife can be surprisingly time-consuming, and it can be difficult to achieve uniform thicknesses. This is where a slicer comes in handy. Kyocera's ceramic slicer has a thickness adjustment function, so you can use it to cut vegetables to suit your cooking needs, from thin slices for salads to thick slices for stir-fries. This slicer, in particular, makes shredding cabbage fluffy in no time. You can also create professional-quality garnishes for okonomiyaki and tonkatsu
This Kai julienner allows you to julienne carrots, cucumbers, radishes, and more with professional results. It's especially useful when making coleslaw salads or fresh spring rolls packed with vegetables
It comes with a safety guard, so you can use all the vegetables without any waste, which is a great feature. You can use it with peace of mind when cooking with children
seasonings
If you've taken the time to carefully prepare fresh vegetables, you'll want to be particular about the oil you use to finish them off. Ardoino extra virgin olive oil is a masterpiece made by a long-established Italian company with over 150 years of history
Chef Kataoka, who helped us with the epi recipe, is also a fan of Ardoino extra virgin olive oil
Taggisca olives, grown on the steep slopes of Liguria, near the border between Italy and France, are delicious as fruit and produce exceptionally flavorful oil. Even today, they are carefully harvested by hand in an environment where mechanization is not possible. This is what gives them their fruity aroma and tangy aftertaste
With just this olive oil, a little salt, and lemon juice, you can turn a simple green salad into a restaurant-quality dish. Use it to finish off a caprese or carpaccio, bringing out the flavor of the ingredients and adding depth to the entire dish
storage container
To keep cucumbers fresh, it's convenient to have a vegetable storage container or freshness-keeping bag. This allows you to store cucumbers at the right humidity level, so they'll stay fresh for longer
summary
Cucumbers are a historic vegetable that spread from India to the world. In Japan, they are a popular summer vegetable, but they are used in a variety of dishes around the world. In Italian cuisine in particular, cucumbers are combined with olive oil and cheese to bring out new appeal
By choosing fresh cucumbers, storing them properly, and incorporating international cooking techniques, you can enjoy cucumbers in new and exciting ways. We hope you'll use the recipes we've introduced here to discover new ways to enjoy cucumbers. On hot summer days, why not create a healthy and delicious meal using cucumbers, which also have a cooling effect on the body?
Introducing our special recipes for epi recipes
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