Cucumbers originated
in India from Cocumis hystrix where a
great many varieties of cucumber have been observed.
It
has been cultivated for at least 3,000 years, and was probably introduced to
other parts of Europe by the Greeks or Romans. Records of cucumber cultivation
appear in France in the 9th century, England in the 14th century, and in North
America by the mid-16th century.
The
cucumber is listed among the foods of ancient Ur, and the legend of Gilgamesh
describes people eating cucumbers. Some sources also state it was produced in
ancient Thrace, and it is certainly part of modern cuisine in Bulgaria and Turkey,
parts of which make up that ancient state. From India, it spread to Greece
(where it was called "oikuov", sikyon)
and Italy (where the Romans were especially fond of the crop), and later into China.
According
to Pliny the Elder (The Natural
History, Book XIX, Chapter 23), the Ancient Greeks grew cucumbers, and
there were different varieties in Italy, Africa, and modern-day Serbia.
According
to Pliny, the Emperor Tiberius had the cucumber on his table daily during
summer and winter. The Romans reportedly used artificial methods (similar to
the greenhouse system) of growing to have it available for his table every day
of the year. "Indeed, he was never without it; for he had raised beds made
in frames upon wheels, by means of which the cucumbers were moved and exposed
to the full heat of the sun; while, in winter, they were withdrawn, and placed
under the protection of frames glazed with mirrorstone. Reportedly, they were
also cultivated in cucumber houses glazed with oiled cloth known as “specularia”.
Pliny
the Elder describes the Italian fruit as very small, probably like a gherkin,
describing it as a wild cucumber considerably smaller than the cultivated one.
Pliny also describes the preparation of a medication known as elaterium,
though some scholars believe he was referring to Cucumis silvestris asininus, a species different from the common
cucumber] Pliny also writes about several other varieties of
cucumber, including the cultivated cucumber, and remedies from the
different types (9 from the cultivated, 5 from the "anguine", and 26
from the "wild"). The Romans are reported to have used cucumbers to
treat scorpion bites, bad eyesight, and to scare away mice. Wives wishing for
children wore them around their waists. They were also carried by the midwives,
and thrown away when the child was born.
Charlemagne
had cucumbers grown in his gardens in 9th Century France. They were reportedly
introduced into England in the early 14th century, lost, then reintroduced
approximately 250 years later. The Spaniards (through the Italian Christopher
Columbus) brought cucumbers to Haiti in 1494. In 1535, Jacques Cartier, a
French explorer, found “very great cucumbers” grown on the site of what is now Montreal.
Simple
salad that shouts “fresh from the garden”.
Tomato Feta Salad
Copyright
2012, Christine’s Pantry. All rights reserved.
Ingredients:
3
large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1
cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
6
tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3
tablespoons parsley, chopped
salt
and pepper, to taste
1/2
cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2
teaspoon garlic powder
1
teaspoon onion powder
Directions:
Place
chopped tomatoes in bowl. Add cucumber, extra virgin olive oil, parsley, salt,
pepper, garlic powder and onion powder, toss well. Gently fold in feta cheese.
You may also like
these recipes:
I like how the "dressing" is simply a combination of seasonings that mix with the juice from the veggies. Yum! Neat history, too!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious and cool--a perfect salad to utilize the summer veggies while we still have them.
ReplyDeleteTomatoes, cucumbers and feta are a perfect combination. I throw in a little oregano for that "Greek" taste.
ReplyDeleteI love cucumbers. I can just eat a bowl of them.. but I would much prefer it in this salad. :) Great info too. :)
ReplyDelete