Garden Goodies: Cuke and Zuke Fest

Posted by Deb Puchalla

My mom didn't garden (six kids, no time), but she used midsummer moments in rural Connecticut to show off in the kitchen. One of her best tricks was working magic with piles of zucchini and cucumbers from neighbors' backyard rows of veggie plants.

There was a seemingly endless supply of cucumber spears we ate with a flurry of salt; more interesting were the cukes that became part of a crisp, cool, cucumber salad. Zucchini dazzled in a sauteed side dish and in huge batches of freezer-ready ratatouille -- my mom loves that word and still says it with French flair. The best recipe she had was for zucchini bread that I ate warm, slathered with too much butter.

In my kitchen now, as in so many around the food world -- and the garden world, too -- cucumbers and zucchini, gifts from friends, await. Cukes and zukes are affordable and adaptable and everpresent, so they seem ripe for this, the next in a series of garden-food parties we're hosting with A Way to Garden from now through September. Time to wave some culinary wands, folks. Abracadabra!

Some days -- especially if you're a gardener at harvest time -- you need help knowing what to do with an abundance of cukes and zukes (there are just so many of them, kind of like kids in my childhood home). When I mentioned this celebration, the messages flowed in: Rachel Ann made cucumber soup twice in the past two weeks (c'mon, post it, post it!) and Peckedbyducks made an Asian zucchini slaw with raisins, broccoli slaw, and red peppers (I'm waiting for details on that, too!). FrugalUpstate said to count her in for the festival; so did napafarmhouse, Jaden, and Grace Piper. Maybe new friends like Guy will join us, too, and add their ideas and recipe link to our comments section below.

Aren't you curious how we at the magazine and all these bloggers take two veggies and create a whole world of recipes from them? I love the dishes we've done, but I'm hoping for an easy pickle and a new twist on muffins; I like raw zucchini and I'm always in the market for something with chicken.

And it would be nice to have my own steady supply rather than relying on neighbors and farmers' markets: Anyone willing to teach me how to plant these guys for next season? For the moment, Mom, I'll be waiting for that slice of zucchini bread; next time maybe I'll bring you one I made with my own homegrown zucchini.

In the meantime, I have a few delicious recipes to share:

ZUCCHINI RECIPES
Zucchini Ribbons
Zucchini Lasagna
Zucchini Quesadillas
Salmon and Zucchini in Parchment
More Zucchini Recipes

CUCUMBER RECIPES
Cucumber Watermelon Salad
Asian Steak Salad with Cucumber and Napa Cabbage
Quick Pickled Cucumbers
Sauteed Cucumbers
More Cucumber Recipes

How about sharing your favorite recipe with me, like a good neighbor? Tell me in the comments section below and then head over to Margaret's place for more. If you missed the pesto party, it's not too late to stop by, and remember you can always see what's cooking with me on Twitter.

Comments

[napa farmhouse 1885]

i love this party! can we take it past labor day?..loads of fall fruits and vegetables to party with don't ya think?
anyway..visit www.napafarmhouse1885.blogspot.com for roasted zucchini and tomato with balsamic reduction..and a recipe for potato and zucchini hash browns..

and thanks deb and margaret for all the hard work with this..this is fun...

[Colleen/FoodieTots]

I make zucchini banana muffins, very popular with the toddler. And a recent preparation, zucchini pasta alfredo:
http://foodietots.com/2008/06/27/zucchini-alfredo/

Also, for those of you growing your own, or lucky enough to find blossoms at the farmers market, goat cheese stuffed squash blossoms:
http://foodietots.com/2008/07/30/squash-blossoms-oyamel/

[Grace Piper]

Hey Deb and gang,
Joining the party with my Overnight Quick Pickle recipe! I've been tweeking this recipe for years.
It doesn't take more than 20 minutes or so prep time. You just boil vinegar with sugar and spices and pour over salted sliced cucumbers.
The pickles are very crispy, vinegary and just a little sweet. Delicious with ribs, pulled pork, burgers and fried chicken. It really cuts through the fat. I don't personally like a super sweet pickle, but you do I'd up the sugar by one more cup.

Beth, Your zuke fritters sound awesome!

Recipe is here on my blog:
http://www.fearlesscooking.tv

Hooray for The Cuke and Zuke Fest!

Grace Piper, Producer/Host
Watch my cooking show at FearlessCooking.tv or subscribe through iTunes

Hailed by CNN as the Internet personality to “cook cable’s goose.”
iTunes calls Piper "an awesome mixture of personality and audacity."

[Martha Stewart]

I love zucchini and cucumbers - they are refreshingly delicious on their own and in simple creations. But they lend themselves beautifully in more elaborate recipes and I always have fun experimenting with my own garden harvest.

Martha
http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha

[Alex Sicre]

way too many comments to read in one sitting! i really love the cucumber dill salad from veronique - a classic. as a side to hummus and falafel, I make a very dressed down greek salad of cukes, sliced cherry tomatoes, shallots or red onions diced all tossed with simple red wine, salt, EVOO and pepper.

simple grilling of Zukes sliced into rounds then tossed with saffron toasted israeli cous cous and chopped red peppers and cherry tomatoes for color and crunch - great summer side dish for grilling.

asian zuke salad which I stole from bonda partner - slice zukes thin, heavily salt them and drain in collander for 8 hours. rinse and squeeze out moisture. toss with a dressing of sesame oil, toasted black & white sesame seeds, rice wine vinegar, tamari and red pepper flakes for some heat! very refreshing. can add some honey as well!

i have a bunch of cukes from my farm share, so i will review recipes above and make something new tonight!

[Brenda]

Wonderful recipes-- I have to admit zucchini I like more in baked goods, but cucumbers I love fresh! I made this salad last night for the Food Fest:

http://grace-whimsy.blogspot.com/2008/07/cucumber-tomato-herb-salad.html

[Kelly]

I just tried a new recipe for Zucchini Cakes with Feta & Dill and thought they were tasty:
http://www.barbaricgulp.com/2008/07/zucchini-cakes-with-dill-feta.html

I've also recently made Chocolate Zucchini Muffins that were a big hit with friends:
http://www.barbaricgulp.com/2008/07/chocolate-zucchini-bribe-muffins.html

Kelly
Sounding My Barbaric Gulp!
http://www.barbaricgulp.com

[Dianne]

I decided to put zucchini and cucumbers together to make some salsa!

http://www.diannesdishes.com/2008/07/summer-salsa-where-zucchini-an.html

I have to say it was great last night, but it tastes even better today!

[Paige]

Wow--I am blown away by the enthusiasm and the creativity on display here! One tip I have to share that I haven't noticed in the comments (and with 30+ years as a cook, I can't believe I just discovered this technique this summer!) When you are cooking with zucchini or other summer squash, you can salt and drain them as you would eggplant to deal with their waterlogged natural state. As you'd expect, it improves texture and intensifies, in a good way, their flavor. I do it to the zucchini in my lentil salad recipe (if you click on my name, you'll go there) but also in frittatas, gratins, you name it. I also use zucchini in my meatloaf (one of those horrible trick-your-kids-into-eating-vegetables things that I swore I wouldn't do after the whole Jessica Seinfeld hoo ha) and I'm going to try the salting technique in that recipe, too. I wonder what would happen if you salted and drained for zucchini bread or muffins? It doesn't seem to leave much residual saltiness, so it might work for those recipes, too. Does anyone know?

[Anita / Married ...with Dinner]

Hi, Deb -- Thanks for the invitation to your party!

Here's our contribution:
Drink of the Week: Cucumber and Lavender Sour
http://marriedwithdinner.com/2008/07/31/dotw-cucumber-sour/

[karla]

One of my favorite, quick cucumber recipes is this simple Cucumber Salad

http://www.blissfullydomestic.com/2008/07/cucumber-salad.html

It is so simple, yet I feel like I've really made something special.

[Amanda]

Just this week I've been enjoying Spicy Zucchini Spaghetti and Korean Pancakes (Paejon) made with added shredded zucchini. Yummy! I love Zucchini season!

[Karen @ Pecked by Ducks]

This is so great! My husband has been bringing home garden goodies from - desperate to get rid all of them - co-workers. Our family favorites include a classic Greek Salad and a Zuke Asian Slaw.
Recipes at: http://peckedbyducks.com/2008/07/31/cooking-crazy-karen-family-style/

[Jennifer]

Both look fantastic! I bet the cucumber salad is so refreshing. And who can resist warm zucchini bread?? Thanks for the posts!

[Deb]

So thrilled not only that you all are participating but that you have such tremendous suggestions. It's refreshing to try new recipes, especially easy ones, but it's even better to meet up with foodies and garden folks, together! Thanks!

[DDL]

Deb, I think I posted this comment a day early to the wrong post. Here's a repost to the *right* column:

Deb, thanks for letting me know about the Zukes and Cukes day. Here's my entry for Slow Roasted Zucchini with Olive Oil and Sea Salt:

http://bestfoodblogever.com/2008/07/31/slow-roasted-zucchini-sea-salt-olive-oil/

Thanks,

DDL

[Robin Wedewer]

Here's the best Asian Cucumber Salad I've had:

http://www.bumblebeeblog.com/2008/07/31/got-cucumbers-try-this-asian-cucumber-salad/

Yum!

Robin
Gardening Examiner

[Hillary]

Great uses for zucchinis and cucumbers! I love both of these garden veggies!

[m]

Stuffed zukes. Delicious:

http://thriftyepicuredc.wordpress.com/2008/08/05/going-off-recipe-baked-stuffed-zucchini/

Side dish of existential angst, but hey, it happens.

[Deanna]

Alison suggested I post a link to my blog entry giving the recipe for fresh dill pickles at http://marzipanmom.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-csa-and-dill-pickles.html. It's a great way to use up extra cucumbers - they're easy and delicious!

[Jaden, Steamy Kitchen]

Am I late? am I too late??

Here's what I'm bringing to the Zukes and Cukes party:

Zucchini and Shrimp Stirfry with Crispy Basil

http://steamykitchen.com/blog/2008/08/13/shrimp-and-zucchini-stirfry-with-crispy-basil/

[Jennifer Vincke]

I have a Sun Pickle recipe I use with my pickle cucumbers. Simple and yummy!

SUN PICKLES

1 gallon glass jar with lid
6 C. water
2 1/4 C. white vinegar
1 small white onion (cut into wedges)
2 cloves garlic minced
1 t. alum
1/4 C. salt
2 heads of dill
Cucumbers - enough to fill the jar, cut into spears.

Place all into cleaned jar. Replace lid. Shake it good to mix and set outside in the sun for 3 days, shaking at least once daily to mix well. Bring inside at the end of day three and store in cool dark place or keep in fridge once opened. Enjoy!