Even though cucumbers are available year-round in most grocery stores, summer is definitely the peak season to enjoy them at their freshest and most flavorful. They’re also hydrating, nutrient-rich, and bursting with antioxidants. Cucumbers are a salad staple of course, but there are plenty of other things you can do with these versatile cucurbits. Whether you’re growing your own or grabbing them from a local vegetable stand, if you find yourself with extra cucumbers on hand, here are a few fun ways to use them.

Enjoy Some Cucumber Water

Infuse a plain glass of water with a few cucumber slices for a refreshing and detoxifying drink, with an extra boost of hydration. Cucumber water has a mild, refreshing taste. Cucumbers add a subtle hint of flavor to the water without being overpowering making it the perfect beverage for hot weather or giving yourself a little spa treatment.

Chill With Cucumber Eye & Face Masks

Speaking of spas, the image of a woman wearing a face mask with cucumbers over her eyes is basically iconic. That’s because cucumbers are a great, low-cost way to help reduce eye puffiness, swelling, and inflammation. They may even help get rid of dark, under-eye circles. At the very least, the coolness and aroma of cucumber can help relieve tension, relax your eye muscles, and provide a sense of rejuvenation.

But cucumbers aren’t just good for your eyes, your whole face can benefit when you blend cucumber with other ingredients like yogurt, aloe gel, or rose water to create a soothing and hydrating facial mask.

Jar a Signature Pickle

Make your own homemade pickles just by soaking cucumbers in a brine of vinegar, water, and spices. They can be tangy, sour, or sweet and you can experiment with different recipes until you find your perfect pickle. The time required for pickles to reach your desired flavor and texture varies depending on the recipe and what you like. But they’re great to have on hand for snacking or you can give them away as gifts.

Make A Batch of Gazpacho

Cucumber gazpacho is a delightful cold soup that highlights a combination of summer flavors. It's a great way to showcase the natural freshness of cucumbers and other seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onions. Fresh veggies in a savory broth mixed with herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil make a refreshing chilled dish with a vibrant taste that makes a perfect appetizer, or a light lunch on a warm day.

Mix Up Some Cucumber Cocktails

Muddled cucumber slices can be with most of your favorite spirits to create fun cocktails. The cool, crisp flavor of cucumber and the citrus tang of lime are a particularly good pairing. Try a Cucumber Mojito, with cucumber, mint, lime, and rum. Or shake up a Cucumber Martini with cucumbers, vodka, lime juice, and elderflower liqueur. Spice up taco night with a Cucumber Margarita with cucumber, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. No matter how you mix it, cucumbers are a refreshing twist on a number of classic cocktails that are perfect for summer evenings.

Create Your Own Lotion

Take advantage of the hydrating properties of cucumbers by making a moisturizing DIY lotion. You can blend your cucumbers with ingredients like almond oil, aloe vera, coconut milk, and shea butter. Just remember that homemade skin care products may have a shorter shelf life than the ones you buy at the store so it’s a good idea to store your homemade lotion in the refrigerator and use it within a few weeks while it’s still fresh.

Do a Dip

Cucumbers are also perfect for making dips like Tzatziki, Cucumber and Avocado dip, or Cucumber and Dill dip. They can be used to top grilled meats or for serving with chips, crackers, bread, pretzels, or veggie sticks. No matter how you serve them, cucumber dips are a versatile, light, and refreshing contribution to parties or a healthy side dish for a weeknight meal.

With so many ways to use them, there’s no such thing as too many cucumbers. So grow a bunch or grab them on sale at peak season and have fun using cucumbers in new combinations.

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