Make the Most of Peak Cucumber Season

Abundance deserves intention.

When cucumbers are rolling in by the armful—whether from your own garden, a neighbor’s porch drop-off, or your favorite farmers market—it’s time to get creative. This guide is for using every last one. No waste. Just goodness.

Fermented Pickles (Traditional Lacto-Fermented)

A tangy, probiotic-rich classic that keeps for months.

You’ll need:

• 2–2.5 lbs pickling cucumbers

• 5 cups filtered water

• 2 tbsp sea salt

• Garlic (10–20 cloves, optional)

• Fresh dill (a big handful)

• Bay leaves or grape/oak leaves (3–4, optional)

• ½ onion, sliced (optional)

• Optional spices: fennel, coriander, peppercorns, mustard seeds

• Optional heat: red chili flakes or small chilies

How to make it:
Scrub cucumbers and sterilize jars.
Dissolve salt in water (3% brine).
Layer cucumbers, dill, garlic, and spices in a large jar.
Pour brine to cover. Weigh cucumbers down.
Cover loosely. Let ferment at room temp 5–7 days, tasting daily.
Once sourness is right, seal and refrigerate. Keeps for months.

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Quick Apple Cider Vinegar Pickles

Ready in a day, perfect all week.

You’ll need:

• 8–10 cucumbers

• 2 cups water + 2 cups apple cider vinegar

• ¼ cup cane sugar

• 2 tbsp sea salt

• Garlic, onion, mustard seeds, peppercorns

• Fresh dill

How to make it:
Slice cucumbers to your liking.
Pack into clean jars with onion, garlic, dill, and spices.
Simmer vinegar, water, salt, and sugar until dissolved.
Let cool slightly, then pour over cucumbers.
Cool to room temp, seal, and refrigerate. Ready in 24 hours.

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Cucumber Agua Fresca

Bright, cooling, and lightly sweet.

You’ll need:

• 2–3 medium cucumbers

• 6–8 cups cold water

• ⅓ cup lime juice

• ¼–½ cup agave or sugar (to taste)

How to make it:
Rough-chop cucumbers (peel if desired).
Blend with most of the water, lime, and sweetener.
Strain if you like. Add remaining water.
Chill and serve over ice.

Try this:

• Add mint or basil to the blender

• Stir in chia seeds for a hydration boost

• Freeze into ice molds for a quick pick-me-up

• Rim glasses with Tajín for a spicy twist

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Other Favorites from the Summer Kitchen

Simple Cucumber Salad

• Slice 1 cucumber + ¼ red onion

• Toss with 2–3 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp honey, salt + pepper

• Add fresh dill. Let sit 10 minutes and enjoy

Korean Cucumber Salad

• Mix sliced cucumber with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, scallions, sesame oil, gochugaru, sesame seeds, and cilantro

• Chill and serve cold

Cucumber Raita

• Mix diced cucumber with 1 cup yogurt, cumin, chopped cilantro, and salt

• Serve as a cooling dip or side

Cucumber Sandwiches

• Spread herb cream cheese on bread, layer cucumber slices, salt + pepper

• Top with another slice of bread and cut into quarters

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Sweetener Swap Tips

Want to skip the sugar? Honey or maple syrup work beautifully.

How to Substitute:

• Honey: Use about ¾ cup for every 1 cup sugar. It's sweeter, so adjust to taste

• Maple Syrup: A 1:1 swap usually works. Darker syrup adds more depth—start light, taste, and adjust

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Don’t Forget to Freeze

Cucumber juice freezes beautifully in silicone ice trays.
Add to water, sparkling drinks, or smoothies for easy hydration—summer or winter.

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Keep It Fresh with Ambrosia

From the garden to the fridge, Ambrosia Produce Bags are made to extend the life of what you grow, harvest, and bring home.

Crafted from specially selected flax linen, our bags are breathable and moisture-regulating—naturally resisting mold and microbial growth based on the inherent properties of flax fibers†. Unlike plastic, which traps moisture, or cotton, which dries too slowly, flax linen helps regulate humidity and allows air to circulate.

The result? A cleaner, reusable system that helps your produce stay fresher, longer—no plastic, no paper towels, no waste. Whether you’re loading up at the farmers market or putting up extras from your garden, Ambrosia Bags help keep cucumbers crisp and your kitchen more sustainable.

Savor the season. Waste less. Store smarter.

† Based on inherent properties of flax fibers as shown in third-party studies. Our bags have not been treated with additional antimicrobial agents and do not prevent illness. Claims not evaluated by the FDA or EPA.