Yellow Cucumber

APPEARANCE: “Yellow torpedo” would be a more descriptive name for this vegetable. An average individual measures 10 to 15 inches in length, 4 to 5 inches in diameter, and 1 to 2 pounds in weight. The skin has a coarse netted texture, reminiscent of a cantaloupe.

QUALITY: For eating raw, choose smaller — hopefully younger — ones in which the flesh should be more tender. For soup, select large mature melons.

COMMENTS: Predictably enough, this melon has the same characteristics of crisp flesh and cool taste as ordinary cucumbers. For eating raw, green cucumbers are preferred, being more tender, tastier, and crisp. For boiling soup the yellow cucumber is preferred because it withstands cooking better and yields a better flavor to the broth. For stir-frying and braising, either will do.