Vegetable
Cucumber
Cucumber is a long, green, crisp vegetable that is about 95 percent water, which is why it tastes cool and fresh and has few kilojoules. Lebanese cucumbers are small, thin-skinned and sweet, with few seeds. Continental, or telegraph, cucumbers are long and mild. Both are eaten raw with the skin on. In Australia cucumbers are sold mainly from spring to autumn, and are cheapest in summer. Slice them into salads and sandwiches, make tzatziki or raita, or quick pickle them with vinegar and dill. Cucumber is mostly eaten raw, because cooking makes it soft and watery. Salt sliced cucumber for 10 minutes and pat it dry if you want a crunchier salad.
In season in Australia
Best Nov to Feb- January: in season
- February: in season
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November: in season
- December: in season
National guide. Local seasons vary by state.
Need help growing cucumbers? Try Planting Season
Illustration generated with AIHow to choose
Choose cucumbers that are firm along their whole length, with smooth, glossy skin and no soft spots or yellowing. A cucumber that gives at the ends is past its best. Smaller ones usually have fewer, softer seeds. Avoid any that are wrinkled or have slimy patches.
How to store
Keep cucumbers in the crisper drawer, wrapped in a paper towel or in a bag, for up to a week. They are damaged by cold, so keep them away from the back of the fridge. Cut cucumber should be covered and eaten within 2 to 3 days.
Freezing
Not for eating fresh. Cucumber is mostly water, so it turns limp and watery once thawed, and it is not worth freezing for salads. If you must, blend it for smoothies or cold soup, and freeze that in cubes. Pickling is a better way to keep a lot of cucumbers.
Too many cucumbers?
Quick pickle slices in vinegar, sugar, salt and dill, which keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. Make tzatziki, gazpacho or a cold cucumber soup. Salt and drain a bowl of slices for a Greek salad, or peel and blend one into a cooling drink.
Cucumber recipes
Know what is in season
One email a month with the produce at its best and what to cook with it.
Cucumber questions
Do you need to peel cucumbers?
No. The skin is edible and adds crunch and colour. Peel it if it is waxed or tough, or if you prefer a softer bite. Wash cucumbers before slicing. Telegraph cucumbers are the ones most likely to have thicker skin.
Why is my cucumber bitter?
Bitterness comes from compounds that build up in the skin and near the stem, especially when the plant is stressed by heat or too little water. Cut off the stem end and peel the skin. If it still tastes bitter, throw it out.
Can you freeze cucumber?
Not successfully for salads. Cucumber is about 95 percent water and turns mushy and watery when thawed. You can freeze it blended, for smoothies or cold soups. For long storage, pickling is the better method.
What is the difference between Lebanese and continental cucumbers?
Lebanese cucumbers are short, thin-skinned and sweet, with few seeds, and are good for salads and snacks. Continental cucumbers are longer and have thicker skin and a milder flavour. You can swap one for the other in most recipes.