Farmers markets are in high gear and cucumbers will soon be multiplying right before our eyes! Cucumbers are a favorite during the summer months because they are so easy to eat! Just wash, slice, and eat!
Cucumbers are very versatile and pack a punch when it comes to good nutrition. They contain fiber, protein, and have only 8 calories in a half cup! That is less than a sip of sweetened coffee or a bite of a burger!
It is during the summer months that I use up my extra cukes and make a family favorite dip called Cucumber Dill Dip. It’s so easy and takes only 5 minutes to make. It is also low in fat and high in protein because I use Greek yogurt (high in protein, low in fat) instead of sour cream (high in fat, low in protein). And don’t worry…it doesn’t “taste” healthy, because the spices flavor the yogurt, and no one will know that it is healthier!
To learn how to prepare, watch a 3-minute video I made: Garden to Plate Garden to Plate: Cucumber Dill Dip and see how easy it is to make.
Here is the recipe:
- 1 cup Greek-style plain yogurt
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Then, combine the cucumbers to the yogurt, then add spices and chill for 2 hours so the flavors can absorb and come together for a great flavor! The ingredients of the dip are very simple and usually found in your refrigerator and home garden.
Finally, cucumbers can be enjoyed not only in the summer, but all year long as they have many benefits outside the body as well. You can use cucumbers on sunburn skin and let the high-water content in the cucumber help your skin to rehydrate. You can also use a few cold slices on your eyes at least once a week to help ease puffiness and increase hydration. They work great!
I hope you will drop a cucumber in your grocery cart this week! And let me know if you tried making my Cucumber Dill Dip at gallup.1@osu.edu!
Happy Summertime!
Written by Shari Gallup, Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Extension, Licking County, gallup.1@osu.edu
Reviewed by Laura M. Stanton and Roseann Scammahorn, Family and Consumer Sciences Educators, Ohio State University Extension, Warren and Darke County, stanton.60.osu.edu, scammahorn.5@osu.edu.
References
Gallup. S. L. (2015). Garden to Plate Cucumber Dill Dip. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ25TWEx6es&t=4s
DiLonardo, Mary Jo. (2020). Cucumber. https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/cucumber-health-benefits
Ohio Proud. Find a Farmers Market. http://ohioproud.org/farm-markets-all/farmers-market-search/find-a-farmers-market/#!directory/map
Live Healthy Live Well 
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