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While cucumbers are widely available year-round, summer’s our favorite time to use them. Most often enjoyed raw or pickled, their light, sweet flavor is also lovely in sautés or puréed with yogurt for cold soups. But we also love using cucumbers in cocktails. In the New Airline, cucumber and sweet elderflower liqueur echo the floral notes of gin. To add another unexpected savory note, try our toasted sesame highball made with vodka, cucumber, and a dash of toasted sesame oil. From thirst-quenching agua fresca to creamy cucumber dips to an earthy eggplant-and-cucumber-salad sandwich, here are some of our favorite cucumber recipes.

"Cucumber

Salted Cucumber Salad

"Cucumber

Cucumber Salsa

Get the recipe for Cucumber Salsa »
"Spicy

Spicy Cucumber Salad

Spicy Cucumber Salad
"Carrots

Carrots 43 Martini

Lively and floral, this cocktail uses all fresh ingredients so it feels like you’re getting your vitamins in while enjoying a nice drink. Get the recipe for Carrots 43 Martini »
"Tomato-Cucumber

Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Fennel Dressing

"Cucumber

Cucumber and Corn Salad with Pomegranate and Poppy Seeds

Cucumber and Corn Salad with Pomegranate and Poppy Seeds
"Yogurt

Cucumber Yogurt

Similar to raita, this Iranian sauce differs with the addition of minced fresh yellow onion. Make it a day ahead to allow the flavors to really marry before serving. Get the recipe for Cucumber Yogurt »
"Vegetables

Vegetables Pickled in Kelp Vinegar

Dashi, an enhanced kelp stock with rich umami flavor, is a staple component of Japanese cooking; it has the remarkable effect of accentuating the flavors of anything cooked in it. Here, it adds depth to a pickle brine from award-winning cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo. We use radishes, but any sturdy vegetables, such as peppers, cauliflower, or onions, will do. Get the recipe for Vegetables Pickled in Kelp Vinegar »
"Kimbap"

Kimbap

Korean kimbap is similar to Japanese sushi, but typically uses cooked or pickled ingredients. In this version, bulgogi (marinated beef) is paired with vegetables and egg. Get the recipe for Kimbap »
"Brown

Brown Rice Salad with Avocado

Brown Rice Salad with Avocado
"Israeli

Israeli Cous Cous with Ras el Hanout, Fennel and Carrot

Ras el hanout, the North African spice blend, along with fresh orange zest and juice, mint, and cilantro, give Israeli cous cous a fresh feel and flavor in this simple weeknight meal. Get the recipe for Israeli Cous Cous with Ras el Hanout, Fennel and Carrot »
"Evening

Evening Shade

"Garden

Garden Kitchen Sink Gimlet

This boozy gin cocktail uses up an abundance of mint, cucumber, and blackberries—it’s summer in a highball. Get the recipe for Garden Kitchen Sink Gimlet »
"Kheera

Kheera ka Raita (Cucumber-Tomato Yogurt)

This basic raita is a cooling counterpoint to fiery foods, thanks to its foundation of full-fat yogurt, cucumber, and mint. Get the recipe for Kheera ka Raita (Cucumber-Tomato Yogurt) »
"New

New Jersey Fattoush

Helen Rosner’s mother-in-law is Palestinian, but over forty years of living in the U.S., her fattoush has evolved into something decidedly (and deliciously) Americanized: crushed pita chips, a dressing of lime juice and dried mint, and crisp, sweet iceberg lettuce. Get the recipe for New Jersey Fattoush »
"Cucumber

Cucumber Pepper Slaw

"Cucumber

Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki)

Grated cucumber marries with chopped herbs and aromatics in this iconic Greek yogurt condiment. Get the recipe for Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki) »
"Bread

Bread and Butter Pickles

Sweet, crunchy bread and butter pickles are the perfect reprieve from fried foods. Get the recipe for Bread and Butter Pickles »
"Cucumbers

Cucumbers and Cream Cheese

There’s no reason this tried-and-true combination needs to be limited to tea time. Make three or four of these paper-thin preparations of white bread topped with tangy, softened cream cheese and crisp cucumber slices, and call it a lunch. Get the recipe for Cucumbers and Cream Cheese »
"Israeli

Israeli Chopped Salad

Sumac and cinnamon heightens the flavors of this Israeli staple.
"Javanese

Javanese Cucumber and Carrot Pickle (Acar Timun)

"Thai

Thai Cucumber Relish (Ajad)

This quick, spicy-sweet relish makes a perfect picnic side.
"Cucumber

Cucumber Salad

This crunchy salad is a cool complement to smoked meat.
"Cold

Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup

The classic combination of raw cucumber, yogurt, lemon, and mint is perfect for the hottest summer days. Get the recipe for Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup »
"Blue

Blue Cheese Wedge Salad

This classic iceberg wedge salad is adorned with both blue cheese and Italian dressings. Get the recipe for Blue Cheese Wedge Salad »
"Thai

Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)

Crusted dried shrimp add an umami boost to this papaya salad. Get the recipe for Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum) »
"The

The New Airline

Cool, mild cucumber and sweet elderflower liqueur echo gin’s floral notes in this cocktail. Get the recipe for The New Airline »
"Ho'opono

Ho’opono Potion

Happy hour tastes like paradise with a bracing cocktail of cucumber, tequila, and fresh lime juice. Get the recipe for Ho’opono Potion »
"Toasted

Toasted Sesame Highball

Toasted sesame oil gives nutty depth to a light, savory-sweet drink. Get the recipe for Toasted Sesame Highball »

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