• 1/2 English cucumber, chopped into chunks
  • 3 slices honeydew melon, chopped
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1 Bigelow Organic Green Tea bag
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint
  • Liquid Stevia or agave nectar, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar

Food Network’s second year of Summer Fest is upon us. Summer Fest is a collaborative recipe swap between food bloggers who live to share their recipes with others in the hopes that you, too, will create memories with your family and friends.  So far the stars of the summer line up have been eggplant and peaches and now we are sharing our recipes and tips for cucumbers!

This year our congregation planted our first farm. The Isaiah 58 Project was born on January 9th and has grown beyond anything we could have ever imagined.  Fresh fruits and vegetables like potatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes, beans, peppers and lots and lots of cucumbers have been enjoyed by many in our congregation. Delivering to local families what might be the only fresh food they have for the week has blessed many in our congregation and in our community. Many people have been asking about different ways to prepare these beautiful fruits and vegetables.

 

 

In thinking of unique ways I could utilize cucumbers, I thought, well, I love Iced Green Tea sweetened with a touch of Stevia and I do adore mint, which is always a great addition to green tea. With vines of cucumbers growing everywhere, a thought came to me. A refreshing and healthy treat that everyone loves, especially on these hot summer days. Green Tea Cucumber Pops! Yes, that will put a smile on everyone’s face! 

Green Tea and Cucumber Pops are not only good for you, but they taste GREAT!

In a saucepan or a tea kettle, boil your water. Add the green tea bag and the mint to the boiling water. Turn off the heat and let steep. Do not remove the tea bag or the mint until you are ready to use the green tea in this recipe. Sweeten the green tea with drops of liquid Stevia to taste. This can be made ahead of time.

In a blender combine chopped cucumber and honey dew melon.  Add green tea, the juice of one lime and agave nectar; blend well.  Place the pretty green mixture in four large juice cups with a wooden stick in each or into popscicle containers.

Freeze for four hours or longer and then … enjoy!

 

 

The beautiful sunflowers not only welcome the bees each day, but all of those who visit the farm.

You may also like to browse the following recipes and articles featuring cucumbers: Greek Salad, Raita, a refreshing and flavorful Cucumber Mint Yogurt Sauce, and What’s in the Back of your Refrigerator?

And I know you all would love to take a look at the other bloggers recipes, so here they are. I am in great company!

 

Pinch My Salt: Chilled Cucumber, Kefir and Avocado Soup

What’s Gaby Cooking: Cucumber-Basil Gimlet

In Jennie’s Kitchen: Radish-Cucumber Crostini

Big Girl Small Kitchen: Spicy Cucumber Salad with Shallot, Ginger and Mint

Grecian Kitchen: Summer Cucumber Salad

And Love It Too: Cucumber, Mint and Watermelon Salad

Napa Farmhouse 1885: Cucumbers Coolers with Agave Simple Syrup

Cooking With My Kid: Cucumber Limeade

FN Dish: Summer Fest: Cucumber Recipes

CIA Dropout: Relishing Cucumbers

Healthy Eats: Cool Cucumber Soup

Food for 7 Stages of Life: Cucumber Cherry Salsa

Glory Foods: Cucumber and Shrimp Boat

Virtually Vegan Mama: Fire-Roasted Tomato and Cucumber Gazpacho

Food2: When Life Gives You Cucumbers, Make a Cucumber Cocktail

Cooking Channel: Cucumbers Stuffed with Crab-Mango Salad

Recipe Girl: Bread and Butter Pickles

Taste With the Eyes: Spicy Pickled Cucumbers with Wakame and Garlic Blossoms

Virtually Homemade: Cold Thai Cucumber-Mint Soup

Add a Pinch: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

The Cultural Dish: Ahi Tuna with Cucumber Sauce and Salad

Daily*Dishin: Cool n’ Zesty Cukes: 7 Minute Summer in a Jar

Daydreamer Desserts: Cubanita Margarita

Purple Cook: Cucumber Gazpacho with Indian Flavored Shrimp Relish

Indian Simmer: Cucumber at its Best with Chaat Masala

Big Apple Nosh: Quick and Easy Homemade Pickles

Sweet Life Bake: Agua de Pepino

The Sensitive Epicure: Tzatziki with Grilled Gluten-Free Pitas and Fresh Cucumbers and Peppers

Zaika Zabardast: Cucumber Gazpacho

A Way to Garden: Cucumber-Growing Q&A and the Best Pickles

Cooking with Books: Summer Fest: Cucumbers