An ode to the cucumber

Yes, friends, where Elke celebrated the National Gin Day last Saturday, today it is my turn to hang up the decorations. Today is International Cucumber Day. Time for a cucumber party. Rush to the Appie and fill your basket with green goodies, because with these three recipes you want to dive into the kitchen today.

1. Cucumber-lime popsicles (4 pieces)

• 1 cucumber
• 4 limes
• Handful of fresh mint leaves
• honey

1. Peel the cucumber and chop it roughly. Puree the cucumber cubes in a blender.
2. Add the lime juice, mint leaves, and honey (to taste) and puree until you get a smooth mixture.
3. Fill the ice molds with the cucumber and place them in the freezer for at least one night.
4. Psssst, a splash of vodka in it is secretly also very nice.

2. Moroccan cucumber salad (my favorite salad for the barbecue)

• 1 cucumber, diced
• Half a watermelon, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• Handful of mint, finely chopped
• Handful of parsley, finely chopped
• Half a pack of feta
• 100 grams of pistachios
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

1. Mix the vinegar, olive oil, pepper, and salt.
2. Put the cucumber, watermelon, and onion in a large bowl.
3. Add the dressing and mix it with the cucumber mixture.
4. Spread the salad on a nice large plate.
5. Sprinkle the mint, parsley, and feta over the plate and season with some extra salt and pepper.

3. Green gazpacho

• 1 zucchini
• 3/4 cucumber
• 1 avocado
• Handful of frozen peas
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Handful of fresh parsley
• 200 ml water
• Handful of watercress
• Bunch of spring onion

1. Put all the ingredients, except for the watercress, spring onion, and water in the blender.
2. Blend until you get a smooth mixture.
3. Add water to your liking and determine how thick you want the soup.
4. Season further if necessary and serve with some watercress and sliced spring onion.