Sautéed Cucumbers

Cucumbers work for more than just salads, sandwiches, or pickles. You can apply heat and turn them into a side that's a little unexpected. Our favorite cooked cucumber recipe is this easy sauté, but fans of warm cucumbers will tell you to also try this much-loved fruit (yes, cucumbers are fruits!) in stir fries and even roasted in the oven.

When exposed to the heat of the stovetop, cucumbers are mild and sweet. All you need are cucumbers, butter, salt, and fresh parsley or dill for garnish. Once you've tried this version, swap the butter for olive oil or try using a different herb.

Common Types of Cucumbers

Some are crunchier, while others have a mild flavor or fewer seeds. Below, discover the types of cucumber sold at grocery stores. (More varieties are available at farmers' markets and farm stands.)

Garden Cucumbers

The most widely available type of cucumber is the thick, dark green-skinned cucumber known garden cucumbers; they're also called slicing cucumbers, pole cucumbers, and just cucumbers. This variety's skin is thick (and sometimes waxed for preservation), so preparations call for peeling the fruit before using it—whether raw or cooked. Garden cucumbers have large seeds which many recipes call for removing. They are the crispest variety and have the most pronounced cucumber flavor and aroma. 

Hothouse Cucumbers

To some confusion, this type is also often called an English cucumber—despite the fact that it is often grown in Canada. Unlike the garden cucumber, it doesn't require peeling and is seedless; it also has a softer texture and a mild, sweet flavor. Hothouse cucumbers are sold individually wrapped in plastic to protect their delicate skin and are what we used for this sautéed cucumbers recipe.

Persian Cucumbers

A relatively recent addition to the grocery store produce aisle, Persian cucumbers are generally sold in sets of five and packaged on a styrofoam tray. Like hothouse cucumbers, they have thin skins that are good to eat. They are crisp and juicy but less firm than garden cucumbers. If you can't find hothouse cucumbers, you could use Persian cucumbers for our sautéed cucumbers recipe.

Kirby Cucumbers

These short, chubby cucumbers are similar to garden cucumbers but slightly softer. They are good to eat raw but are also excellent for pickling.