Cucumbers

What would summer be without crunchy, juicy cucumbers? Native to South Asia, cucumbers are now widely cultivated around the world. They are in the cucurbit plant family, along with squash, pumpkin, zucchini, bitter melon, watermelon, cantaloupe, and gourds. Varieties are typically classified as pickling, slicing, or greenhouse. Pickling cucumbers, as the name suggests, are varieties intended for pickling or fermenting. They are shorter, bulkier, and have thicker skin, so they tend to remain crispy and firm after the pickling process. Slicing varieties are typically longer and thinner than pickling varieties and are intended to be consumed fresh. Greenhouse varieties are bred to be more suitable for greenhouse-growing conditions. Some are parthenocarpic, meaning that they do not need pollination to set fruit, making them ideal for greenhouse production. Parthenocarpic varieties produce almost seedless fruit and can also be grown in a home garden.