Garden-variety cukes sold in supermarkets are typically buffed with food-grade wax to preserve freshness (note the shiny exterior) and should be peeled for the best taste. If the skin is dull, eat it: You’ll get fiber, vitamin A, and silica, a mineral that’s good for your complexion. Try these seven crisp cucumber recipes. Cucumber Salad With Grilled Steak Skewers Cut 4 oz skirt steak crosswise into 12 thin slices. Toss with 2 Tbsp sweet Asian chili sauce, 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1 tsp minced garlic. Thread onto soaked wooden skewers (8"). Shave 1 seedless cucumber into ribbons and toss with 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice. Cut 1 1/2 lb watermelon into 8 slices. Grill beef over medium-high heat about 1 min per side for medium. Serve watermelon, cucumber, and skewers with lime wedges and more chili sauce. NUTRITION (per serving) 115 cal, 7 g pro, 14 g carb, 1 g fiber, 4 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 81 mg sodium Pickled Cucumber and Shrimp Bring 1 1/4 cups rice vinegar, 1/2 cup agave nectar, and 1/4 tsp red-pepper flakes to a boil. Add 1/2 lb peeled shrimp and simmer until cooked through, 3 min. Stir in 1 cup sliced red onion and 1/2 lb halved and sliced Kirby cucumber. Serve chilled with 1/4 cup cilantro sprigs. NUTRITION (per serving) 158 cal, 13 g pro, 24 g carb, 2 g fiber, 2 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 92 mg sodium [header=Cucumber Honey Mint Ice] Cucumber Honey Mint Ice Combine 1 lb chopped seedless cucumber with 1/2 cup lemon-lime seltzer, 1/3 cup chopped fresh mint, 3 Tbsp honey, and 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice in blender. Puree until smooth. Transfer to shallow glass dish and freeze, stirring occasionally, until crystals form, 20 to 30 min. Scoop into 4 small bowls and garnish with mint sprigs. NUTRITION (per serving) 67 cal, 1 g pro, 18 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 4 mg sodium Cool Cucumber Wasabi Soup Combine 1 lb peeled and chopped seedless cucumber with 1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt, 3/4 tsp wasabi paste, 2 chopped scallion greens, and 3/4 cup ice water in blender. Puree until smooth. Ladle into 4 bowls. Dollop with yogurt. NUTRITION (per serving) 28 cal, 2 g pro, 5 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0.5 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 34 mg sodium [header=Cucumber Agua Fresca] Cucumber Agua Fresca Combine 1 lb peeled and chopped cucumber with 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 1/2 cup ice, and 12 oz agave-sweetened grapefruit soda in blender. Puree and serve over ice. NUTRITION (per serving) 40 cal, 1 g pro, 9 g carb, 1 g fiber, 0 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 3 mg sodium Grilled Chicken With Cucumber-Dill Yogurt Sauce Mix 8 oz cucumber chunks with 3/4 cup 2% plain Greek-style yogurt, 2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 tsp minced garlic. Grill 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts over medium heat, turning once, 15 to 18 min. Grill 4 whole wheat pitas until golden, about 3min. Slice chicken. Serve with halved pitas and top with yogurt sauce. NUTRITION (per serving) 402 cal, 46 g pro, 39 g carb, 5 g fiber, 7 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 553 mg sodium Cucumber and Crab Seviche Toss 6 oz cubed Persian cucumber, 1 sliced mango,1 cubed avocado, and 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice. Serve in 4 glasses topped with 1 oz lump crabmeat each. NUTRITION (per serving) 127 cal, 7 g pro, 14 g carb, 3 g fiber, 5.5 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 99 mg sodium Note: All recipes serve 4. More from Prevention: 7 Fruity Summer Salads
