cucumber

A cylindrical, water-dense fruit (*Cucumis sativus*) eaten as a culinary vegetable. Composed of over 95% water, cucumbers provide essential crispness, hydration, and a cooling, melon-like aroma to salads, cold soups, and pickles. English and Persian varieties are bred to have thin, edible skins and fewer seeds, whereas standard slicing cucumbers have thicker, waxy skins that often benefit from peeling. Salting them before use draws out excess water and concentrates their flavor.