Introducing cucumbers and useful cooking utensils that you can enjoy in the summer!
table of contents
- 1 What kind of vegetables are cucumbers?
- 2 Cucumber features and tips for choosing
- 3 How to store cucumbers and tips for preparative treatment
- 4 Cucumber cuisine from around the world and its history
- 5 Recommended items for enjoying cucumber dishes
- 6 summary
- 7 Introducing our special recipes for epi recipes
What kind of vegetables are cucumbers?
Cucumbers are very familiar to Japanese people's daily diets, but in fact, they are vegetables that have been introduced from overseas. Its origin is old and is believed to be in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains in northwestern India. Cultivation had already begun around 2000 BC, and is said to have since spread to all over the world through the Silk Road.
In ancient Egypt, cucumbers were recorded in the diet of workers involved in pyramid construction. It is also said that during the ancient Roman period, Emperor Tiberius loved cucumbers very much, so greenhouse cultivation was carried out. In this way, cucumbers are a vegetable that has been loved all over the world since ancient times.
It is said that the introduction to Japan was brought about by way of China around the 6th century. Initially, it was called "cucumber" and was treated as a medicinal plant. During the Edo period, it became popular as a common vegetable, and the way it is eaten was established as it is today.
Cucumber features and tips for choosing
Cucumbers are known as the most popular summer vegetables. Most of the ingredients are made up of water and have a cooling effect on the body, making it a perfect vegetable for the hot summer. Nowadays, thanks to improved cultivation techniques, they are available all year round, but they are originally in season from June to September. As the vegetables are available in the market at this time of year, prices drop and are gentle on household finances.
How to tell the difference between fresh cucumbers
The key points to consider when choosing a quality cucumber are as follows:
| Checkpoint | detail |
|---|---|
| Color and gloss | Dark green and has a glossy and firm surface |
| Surface condition | Some are not swelling, some are pointy enough to cause the wart to hurt (some varieties may not have warts) |
| The condition of the stool | The cut is not dark, and it's fresh |
| shape | As uniform thickness as possible and less bent |
How to store cucumbers and tips for preparative treatment
Cucumbers are a vegetable that is fresh and lively. Knowing the proper storage method will help you stay fresh for longer.
How to store in the refrigerator
The basic rule is to place it in a plastic bag and store it upright in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Cucumbers are vegetables that don't like cold, so be careful not to let them cool too much. The temperature of the vegetable compartment (approximately 3-5 degrees) is the best option. We recommend that you eat it all while it's fresh, with a shelf life of about 3-4 days.
How to freeze
Cucumbers are not suitable for freezing as is. If you are freezing, it is best to cut it rounds and massage it with salt before storing. Salting to massage the excess water will remove excess moisture and will keep the texture even after thawing. Frozen cucumbers can be used for salads and other occasions.
Cucumber cuisine from around the world and its history
Cucumbers are used in a variety of dishes all over the world. Here we present some particularly noteworthy Italian cucumber recipes. Cucumber appetizers and snacks are popular in Italy, and when combined with olive oil and herbs, you can enjoy a refreshing taste.
Italian salad with tofu and cucumber
This is a creative dish that combines Italian cuisine with Japanese ingredients. Tossed with olive oil and herb salt to create a refreshing appetizer.
Ingredients (for 4 people)
| material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Silk tofu | 1 piece (300g) |
| Cucumber | Two |
| Cherry tomato | 8 |
| Yellow Paprika | 1/2 pieces |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Herb salt | 1 tsp |
| Grated cheese | 2 tbsp |
| Basil leaves | Appropriate amount |
How to make it
- Preparing the ingredients: Drain the tofu and cut it into 2cm square dice. Without peeling the cucumbers, cut into 1cm wide slices, sprinkle a little salt (not included in the portion), leave it for about 5 minutes, and squeeze out the water. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and cut the paprika into 1cm cubes.
- Dressing Formulation Add extra virgin olive oil and herb salt in a bowl and mix well. This simple dressing enhances the flavor of the ingredients.
- Mix the ingredients Place the prepared tofu, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and paprika in a bowl and gently mix with the dressing. To prevent the tofu from falling apart, gently mix with a rubber spatula or something similar.
- Finish: Serve in a bowl and pour plenty of grated cheese over it. Finally, decorate it with basil leaves and you'll be able to create a gorgeous Italian salad. Chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes to make it even more delicious.
Cucumber carpaccio
Carpaccio is an Italian dish made from thinly sliced raw beef and seasoned, but today it is also widely popular with seafood and vegetables. Cucumber carpaccio is a simple yet sophisticated item.
Ingredients (for 4 people)
| material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cucumber | Three |
| Balsamic Vinegar | 2 tbsp |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Parmesan cheese (shaved) | 30g |
| Black pepper | Appropriate amount |
| rock salt | A little |
How to make it
- Preparation of Cucumbers Cut off both ends of the cucumbers and slice them thinly vertically using a peeler. You can use a slicer, but the slightly thicker one will make the texture more enjoyable.
- Serving: Layer cucumber slices on a large plate, and arrange them beautifully like petals. Positioning it from the center to the outside gives it a gorgeous look.
- Pour the dressing Spread balsamic vinegar all over, then pour extra virgin olive oil over it. This order is important, and the olive oil gently envelops the sourness of the balsamic vinegar.
- Finish: Shave the Parmesan cheese and pour generously over it and grind the black pepper. Finally, sprinkle a little rock salt and you're done. Please eat immediately.
Cricket and anchovies pasta
This refreshing, cold pasta is perfect for hot summer days. The salty anchovies and the refreshing cucumbers match perfectly.
Ingredients (for 4 people)
| material | Amount |
|---|---|
| Spaghetti (thin one) | 320g |
| Cucumber | Two |
| Anchovy filet | 8 sheets |
| garlic | 2 pieces |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 6 tbsp |
| Lemon juice | 2 tbsp |
| Italian parsley | Appropriate amount |
| salt | Appropriate amount |
| Black pepper | Appropriate amount |
How to make it
- Preparing the pasta Boil plenty of water in a large pot, add salt and boil the spaghetti one minute longer than shown. Once cooked, cool thoroughly with cold water and drain well.
- Preparation of cucumbers and anchovys: Cut the cucumbers into thin shredded shredded pieces, sprinkle with a little salt, and then let it sit for about 5 minutes, then squeeze the water thoroughly. Chop the anchovy finely and chop the garlic finely.
- Make the sauce Add half of the olive oil to a frying pan and fry the garlic over low heat. Once the aroma is starting to come out, add the anchovies and fry them while crushing them in a wooden spoon. Turn off the heat and heat it down.
- Toss the whole thing in a large bowl, add the chilled pasta, cucumbers, anchovies, remaining olive oil and lemon juice and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serving: Serve on a plate and sprinkle with chopped Italian parsley. You can also add additional olive oil to taste if you like.
Recommended items for enjoying cucumber dishes
To make cucumber dishes more delicious and enjoyable, it is useful to have the following items:
Cooking utensils
A slicer or shredder can cut cucumbers evenly, giving them a beautiful look.
Preparing vegetables, an essential part of everyday cooking. Slicing thinly with a knife takes a surprisingly long time, and it is also difficult to make the thickness even. Slicers are useful in such situations. Kyocera's ceramic slicers have a thickness adjustable function, so you can use them in different ways, from thin slices for salads to thick slices for stir-fry, depending on your cooking. In particular, if you use this slicer, you will get a fluffy finish. You can also make okonomiyaki and tonkatsu side dishes with a professional beauty.
With this Kai Corporation shredder, you can make shredded carrots, cucumbers, radish, and more with a professional finish. It is especially useful when making coleslaw salads or fresh spring rolls full of vegetables.
It comes with a safety guard, so you can use up all the vegetables until the end without waste. You can use it with confidence when cooking with your children.
Seasonings
If you've carefully prepared fresh vegetables, you'll want to pay attention to the oil you finish. Aldoino's extra virgin olive oil is a masterpiece made by a long-established Italian store with a history of over 150 years.
Chef Kataoka, who helped out with the epi recipe, also loves Aldoino's extra virgin olive oil.
The Tajasca olives grown on the steep slopes of Liguria near the border between Italy and France, are delicious as fruits and have an exceptional taste even when used as oil. In an environment that cannot be mechanized, it is still harvested with care by human hands. That's why it creates this fruity aroma and a spicy aftertaste.
A simple green salad is also made into a restaurant-like dish with just this olive oil, a little salt and lemon juice. When used to finish off a caprese or carpaccio, it will enhance the flavor of the ingredients while giving the overall dish a deeper look.
Storage container
To maintain the freshness of cucumbers, it is convenient to have a storage container specifically for vegetables and a freshness-retaining bag. It can be stored while maintaining proper humidity, allowing the cucumber to last a long time.
summary
Cucumbers are historic vegetables that have spread from India all over the world. It is popular in Japan as a summer vegetable, but is used in a variety of dishes around the world. Especially in Italian cuisine, when combined with olive oil and cheese, it brings out the new charm of cucumbers.
By choosing fresh cucumbers, storing them appropriately and incorporating world-class cooking methods, you can enjoy cucumbers in a different way than usual. Please use the recipes we have introduced this time to discover the new charms of cucumbers. On hot summer days, why not try creating a healthy and delicious meal with cucumber dishes, which can also help to cool your body down?
Introducing our special recipes for epi recipes
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