Cucumber Vodka

This is the last of the cucumber posts... my garden is almost done/dead. We had some really hot days this past week, and I have decided to just let it go!

One of my friends said to try cucumber vodka when I sent out the SOS for cucumber recipes.  I love the cucumber vodka you can buy at the liquor store, so I thought, why not!

Ingredients: 
vodka
cucumber

Directions: 
Slice cucumbers and remove some of the seeds.  Add cucumbers to a quart sized mason jar.  Pour vodka over the cucumbers, until jar is almost full, and put on the lid.

Every day, give the jar a light shake, or just turn it upside down and back. Let it sit for a week or 2.

When you are ready, strain the vodka. I don't have a mesh strainer, so I had to get creative.  I used tulle that I held on with a rubber band around the neck of the jar.  I funneled it back into the vodka bottle.

Now that you have cucumber vodka, you can make a few drinks! Here are 2 of my favorite mixtures:

• cucumber vodka and lemonade
• cucumber vodka, tonic, lime, and mint

Feta & Dill Cucumbers

Cucumbers, Cucumbers, Cucumbers! My cucumbers are going crazy! Here is another way I made them.

Ingredients: 
1 English cucumber, cut into quarters lengthwise and then crosswise
2 T red wine vinegar
2 t. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 t sugar
1/4 t kosher salt
1/4 t black pepper
1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled (about 1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon dill

Directions: 
Place cucumber in a shallow dish. Combine vinegar and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle vinegar mixture over cucumbers; sprinkle with cheese and dill.

Adapted from: Laraine Perri, Cooking Light
AUGUST 2013

Cucumber Salsa

My garden has exploded with cucumbers.  You can only make vinegar with cucumbers so many times. So I went to Facebook, and asked for new recipes.  My friend Ashley sent me this one! It's a keeper! The cucumbers make the salsa cool, fresh, and refreshing!

                                            

Ingredients: 
2 cucumbers, peeled, sliced into small pieces
1 package ranch seasoning
1 can Rotel
3 T vinegar.

Directions: 
Mix together and let sit over night.  Serve with tortilla chips!

Stay tuned for more cucumber recipes! 

Cucumber Salad

Cucumbers always remind me if my Great Grandma Agnes. She would make them for us in her little kitchen, and we gobbled them up. My mom, aunts, and cousins all make & love them now.  They are a staple at family BBQ's. Her recipe is simple. Salt, vinegar, and cucumbers.

However, when I was looking at a cooking magazine they had a new way to make them. I decided I would give it a try. They are much fancier and sweeter, but definitely a keeper! 

Ingredients:

3 cups cucumbers shaved vertically (I used a veggie peeler) I'm sure there is a better way to do this. 

A pinch of salt

1/2 cup finely sliced red onion

1 t sugar ( I like to use Splenda packets, it's much easier to grab 1 than to get out the sugar and measure!!)

1 T apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Combine cucumbers and onions on bowl. Sprinkle with salt & sugar, and pour in vinegar. Mix together. Served chilled

Sorry this is not the best picture!