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"Fun fact: Cucumbers are actually fruits. But like tomatoes, they're prepared and eaten as vegetables. Their juicy, almost thirst-quenching texture is a staple in &lt;a href=\"[get_post_permalink id='42258']\"&gt;summery Mediterranean-leaning salads&lt;/a&gt;, but you'd be surprised how good they are when they're &lt;a href=\"[get_post_permalink id='41020']\"&gt;roasted&lt;/a&gt; or &lt;a href=\"[get_post_permalink id='42537']\"&gt;sauteed&lt;/a&gt;. And of course, there's almost nothing more refreshing than a &lt;a href=\"[get_post_permalink id='43811']\"&gt;cucumber cocktail&lt;/a&gt; on a hot summer day. Check out our tips for storing and buying these cool fruits, and read on for recipe suggestions.\r\n\r\n&lt;strong&gt;HOW TO BUY&lt;/strong&gt;\r\nAlthough cucumbers are available year-round, summer is when you'll see the best choice of varieties at the market. Look for cucumbers that are firm, not shriveled, with bright-looking skin. Pass on any with soft spots or cuts in the flesh. Because they lose moisture quickly, cucumbers are often bred with thick skins and sealed with wax to extend their shelf life. Special, thin-skinned varieties are worth seeking out because they're more slender and flavorful, and have smaller seeds. To protect the skins, these types of cucumbers are often sealed in plastic.\r\n\r\n&lt;strong&gt;HOW TO STORE&lt;/strong&gt;\r\nStash cucumbers unwashed in a sealed plastic bag in the warmest part of the fridge. Use them within a few days. This cooling and refreshing salad\u2014with cilantro standing in for the lettuce\u2014is great alongside spicy foods, like our Sambal Chicken Skewers (click for recipe).     "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/ingredients/slideshow/how-to-buy-store-and-cook-with-cucumbers-in-season-in-july>