Fascinating Facts About Cucumbers and Fun Activities to Explore
Cucumbers are packed with important nutrients and come from the gourd family, known for their hydrating properties and health benefits. Learn about selecting, storing, and serving cucumbers, and engage in engaging activities like poetry, sensory exploration, and comparing cucumbers to other vegetables. Discover the origins of cucumbers, their cultivation process, and their significance in different regions. Dive into a world of cucumber knowledge and creativity!
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CUCUMBERS FAST FACTS IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS Fiber - good for your gut and heart Vitamin K - helps your blood clot Vitamin A - good for your eyes, skin, and immune system Vitamin C - helps with wound healing Chlorophyll - a powerful phytonutrient Potassium - needed for muscle contraction Cucumber comes from the Cucurbitaceae family, or more commonly known as the gourd family The gourd family also includes melons, squashes, and pumpkins. Cucumbers are 96% water! The cucumber plant originates from South Asia - cultivation of the cucumber started 3000 years ago in India and it quickly spread to the rest of the world Fruit appears 8 to 10 weeks after planting SELECTION & STORAGE Look for large, unbroken, dark-green skin with a waxy appearance. IDEAS FOR SERVING Enjoy raw alongside a yogurt dip or hummus Create a salad with cucumber and any other veggies or dressing you like Top sandwiches and wraps with cucumber for some extra crunch Store cucumbers, unwashed, in loose or perforated plastic bags in the vegetable crisper of the refrigerator. Store for up to 3-5 days. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
CUCUMBERS ACTIVITIES Five Senses Fun! Use your five senses to describe how cucumbers look, feel, taste, sound, and smell. Poetry Write a poem about the health benefits of cucumber. Share with the class! Write a Recipe Invent a new recipe that includes cucumber as one of the ingredients. Identify Places on the Globe Find where cucumbers likely originated in India on the map. Watch a Video Find and watch a video online that shows how cucumbers are grown, harvested, and distributed in the United States. Compare & Contrast Make a list of similarities and a list of differences between cucumber and another vegetable. Are there more similarities or differences?
CUCUMBERS CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING What are examples of other Cucurbitaceae or gourd vegetables? Describe the steps you would take to grow cucumbers at home. Why is eating cucumber good for your health? What should you look for when selecting cucumbers at the store? What is your favorite way to eat cucumber?
CUCUMBERS CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING What are examples of other Cucurbitaceae or gourd vegetables? Examples: watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, squash, cantaloupe, and honeydew Describe the steps you would take to grow cucumbers at home. Example: 1. Choose your location; 2. Plant the seeds in warm soil >65F; 3. Water - often and flood Why is eating cucumber good for your health? Examples: provides essential vitamins and minerals, good source of fiber, etc. What should you look for when selecting cucumbers at the store? Example: look for undamaged skin dark in color, the inside will be very watery What is your favorite way to eat cucumber? Examples: fresh, with a dip, in a salad, in a wrap, on a sandwich
CUCUMBERS REFERENCES Facts for Cucumbers. (2011). Washington Farm to School. http://www.wafarmtoschool.org/ToolKit/18/cucumbers/Facts Cucurbitaceae plant family. (2019). https://www.britannica.com/plant/Cucurbitaceae Cornell University. Growing Guide: Cucumbers. (2006) http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenef65b.html
