Homemade Tzatziki, Gazpacho, and Other Fun Cucumber Dishes

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 What is Tzatziki? Tzatziki (pronounced za-ZEE-kee) is a traditional Greek side dish/sauce made with Greek yogurt and cucumber. It is a great-tasting, cool sauce for grilled spiced meats, a dressing for zesty Greek salad, or a dipper for veggies or grilled pita bread. Better yet, it’s so easy to make!  


Ingredients:

• 1 container Greek yogurt, plain or vanilla
• 1 medium-sized cucumber
• 1 ½ Tablespoons minced garlic
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar, or white vinegar
• 1 tsp sea salt (or coarse salt)
• 1 tsp black pepper

Directions: Scoop the seeds from the cucumber, then chop very fine in a food processor or with a chopper. Mince four cloves of garlic, or use 1 1/2 Tablespoons of commercially-prepared minced garlic. Juice one lemon, or use 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice. Mix all ingredients together and chill. Serve with meats, salads, or as a dipping sauce. Wonderful with toasted garlic pita triangles. Cut pita bread into triangles, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic salt and parsley and toast in the oven until crisp. 

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Homemade Gazpacho

 Gazpacho is a cold soup made from vegetables, usually with a tomato base, but it doesn’t have to be. Make a cool summer soup from cucumbers! You will be surprised how refreshing this soup is! Peel, seed and chop three cucumbers and put them in a blender along with about 2 cups of plain or vanilla yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard, and 1/3 cup of chopped mint leaves (optional: add a few basil leaves). 

Add salt and pepper to taste and blend to puree. Chill soup overnight and then serve with some mint leaves on top.

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Cucumber Roll-Ups Another way to use larger cucumbers – slice the cucumbers very thin. Roll up with turkey or chicken slices, chopped tomato, lettuce, and avocado for a tasty, healthy lunch treat!

Cucumber Boats

A fun way to serve larger cucumbers: hollow out the center seeds. Fill with chicken salad or tuna salad and top with a cherry tomato! 

No matter how you fix them, all the vitamins and minerals in this healthy fruit will benefit your body. It rehydrates your body, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, equalizes uric acid levels, and so much more! Grow your own, and you will have an abundance of health in your own back yard!