Cool Cucumbers

During these hot and sticky days it's nice to have some refreshing dish. Cucumbers fit that bill. They are the perfect ingredient for a summer salad. Their lightness and fresh taste are like a cool breeze on a hot day. Not only that but they're easy to prepare - a plus when you don't feel like creating an elaborate dish.

Cucumbers actually started out in the Himalayas and northwestern India.The plant is mentioned in the great epic Gilgamesh and was a staple food of the ancient Urs. It was then brought to ancient Egypt and later to Rome and Greece where it became beloved . Cucumbers were also big with the French and the emperor Charlemagne had them grown in his gardens. Centuries later another French ruler, Louis XIV, also had cucumbers planted in the gardens at Versailles. Of course what would England be without them? The Brits still love them and feature cucumbers in their tea time sandwiches. It was the English poet and playwright Thomas Gay who first coined the phrase "cool as a cucumber" in 1732. The plant was brought over to the Boston area in the mid 1600's where it was a staple in kitchen gardens.

Cucumbers are basically a fruit and belong to the same family as the squash and the muskmelon. It is also a diuretic and presently used by weight watchers and body builders . the dwarf variety used in pickles to the Burpee Hybrid and the Master Slice Hybrid. If you have the time you can make a batch of pickles however I feel that cucumbers goes best in a salad. There's nothing like a sliced one with a dill and sour cream dressing. If you want a lighter salad, then substitute a vinaigrette for the sour cream. Also don't be afraid to put them in your regular salads. Cukes add crunch and balance out the stronger flavors of broccoli cauliflower, and tomatoes. You can also add them to a spinach salad for a different spin or for a lighter tasting beet or string bean salad.

This summer look to the cucumber for a light and refreshing taste. It's the perfect foil to spicy barbecues and heavily spiced grilled meats. It stands out as a cool breeze does on a hot summer's day.

Cucumber Salad With Sour Cream

1 medium to large sized cumber.

1 cup sour cream

2 sprigs chopped fresh dill.

Salt and pepper to taste

Score cucumber with a fork for a decorative lacy edging. Then thinly slice and mix with sour cream and dill. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled.