In the heat of the summer you can stay cool as a cucumber when you use this hot weather ingredient in your meal planning. The cucumber is usually considered a vegetable because of how it's used in the culinary world. However, cucumbers are classified as fruit because they contain tiny seeds in the middle and grow from the flower of the cucumber plant.

My recipe for Cool Cucumber Dip can be used to cool off all kinds of spicy dishes, used as a simple dip for chips, or substituted for sour cream in a baked potato. It’s easy to make and has some fresh and lively ingredient like mint and garlic for extra flavor and pizazz! Cool Cucumber Dip also tames the spice in Cajun Shrimp Skewers or Andouille Sausage Dippers.

Here’s what you need to know about cucumbers, and how to use them to make my Cool Cucumber Dip.

Cucumbers actually belong to the same botanical family as melons and squashes. They have a mild, refreshing taste, and a high water content. In fact, cucumbers are 96% water. They can help relieve dehydration and are rich in vitamins and minerals, but just so you know, most of the health benefit is in the skin, so keeping the skin on in your recipes will give you more nutritional benefit while keeping you cool on the inside.

Cucumbers are very mild so they pair well with other flavor profiles like mint and lemon, which are exactly what you’ll find in this yummy recipe.

You’re Gonna Love It!

Prep Time:

20-30 minutes, plus one hour to refrigerate before serving

Servings: 8-10

Recipe Ingredients:

1 Cucumber, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh mint, finely chopped
2 Cloves garlic, minced
1/2 Teaspoon dill weed, finely chopped
1/2 Cup plain low-fat yogurt
½ Cup sour cream
1 Tablespoon olive oil
Zest and juice of 1/2 Lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Recipe Steps:

Simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and taste/adjust for seasoning. Then let the mixture refrigerate for about an hour before serving to bind the flavors.