It seems that they may be having the best season because of all of the rain, and since most cukes are trellised, they have avoided all of the rot that has befallen many of my other garden plants. I did get this cucumber information just in the nick of time, and hope to be able to put most of these suggestions to use.
First and foremost, cucumbers are extremely nutritious (of coourse they are, why would I post this on my blog if they aren't!). They contain most of your daily vitamin requirements:
Folic acid (needed for healthy red blood cells
Vitamin B1 (thiamine, good for energy and nerves)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin, good for hair, nails, skin and eye sight)
Vitamin B3 (niacin, helps to release energy from foods that we consume)
Vitamin B5 (pantothentic acid, needed for metabolism)
Vitamin B6 (absorbs proteins, carbohydrates and fats, prevents skin conditions)
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, enhances immune system) It also includes calcium (builds bone and teeth),
iron (red blood cell health and
muscle and nerve function),
magnesium (helps to convert food to energy),
phosphorus (aids in bone building),
potassium (needed for muscle tone) and...
zinc (boosts immune system, heals wounds and breaks down proteins, carbohydrates and fats).
That all being said, a cucumber as a mid- afternoon snack is a great “pick-me-up” as it aids in energy boosting due to vitamins B and the dose of carbohydrates.
Cucumber salad is another great way to get this health food into your diet. Combine it with sliced red onion, white vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt pepper and a touch of sugar – allowing it to marinate for 30 minutes – and you have a healthy and nutritious side dish.
For a quick refrigerator pickle, slice 1½ cups of picking cucumber, place in colander, sprinkle with salt, resting for 20 minutes.
In the meantime, combine 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup cider vinegar, 1 cup light brown sugar, 1 cup thinly sliced onion, 1 teaspoon dill seed and 1 teaspoon of mustard seed, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Place the sliced cucumbers into a bowl; pour the simmered fluid over the slices, stirring to coat. Put in refrigerator for 10 minutes to cool, serve at room temperature. They will keep in the fridge for 10 days.
Cucumbers can be used in the garden to keep away slugs by placing a few slices into an aluminum pie plate, and place near the garden. The cucumber juice reacts with the aluminum, and creates an undetectable scent to us, but will drive the slugs away.
Cucumber slices take on the role of shoe polish in a pinch: just rub the slices over leather shoes, and you will have a quick shine that also repels water.
Cucumber slices also have the potential to stand in for WD-40 … rub a slice over a squeaky hinge, and the hinge is quiet!
On the health and beauty side, cucumber slice pressed to the roof of your mouth for thirty seconds by your tongue will eliminate bad breath … just in case you can’t get a chance to brush or don’t have a breath mint close by.
Rubbing cucumber slices on any cellulite will cause that area to tighten up. Use on problem thighs or arms for a quick and easy (temporary) fix.
Cucumbers are a staple at spas – cold slices of cucumbers placed over stressed eyes instantly soothes and calms.
Cut a whole cucumber and place it in boiling water. The resulting steam contains nutrients released from the cuke and the relaxing aroma has been shown to calm new mothers and reduce stress of college students!!!
If you’ve had just a bit too much to drink, or feel a headache coming on, eat a few cucumber slices before heading to bed.
Cucumbers contain enough vitamin B’s, sugar, electrolytes and nutrients to prevent headaches or a hangover.
And of course, I would be remiss to not have a “green” use for a cucumber! Stainless steel appliances will benefit from rubbing cucumber slices to clean and polish. Not only will the surfaces not streak, the luster will be restored, and this method of cleaning will not hurt your hands or fingernails.
Culled from GastanGazette
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