There's this common misconception that the cucumber is the antithesis of glamour in the world of vegetables. Sure, it's not a zucchini – which was once praised as seductive in Meghan Markle's recipe for a “dirty, sexy” zucchini pasta sauce. And it's not a juicy slice of beefsteak tomato or a pleasantly plump eggplant. The cucumber may not be conventionally chic or sexy (if you can even describe a vegetable that way), but it manages to outshine its counterparts – in ways more covert than obvious.
Thanks to a viral TikTok trend, pickles have recently taken the internet by storm. Popular home cook Logan “Cucumber Boy” Moffitt shared his favorite way to enjoy a whole cucumber. The recipe itself is quite simple: Moffitt starts by slicing a whole cucumber in a container with a mandoline, then mixes it with various sauces, spices, MSG and toppings, then shakes the mixture in a plastic container until well combined. The flavorful pickles are enjoyed straight from the container with chopsticks.
Moffitt's recipes, which have garnered millions of views, include everything from creamy kimchi pickles and egg salad sandwich pickles to wasabi ginger pickles and peanut soy pickles. His most popular recipe to date has over 20 million views and tastes like a New York bagel with smoked salmon and avocado, according to Moffitt.
@logagm The best way to eat a whole cucumber
♬ Original sound – Logan
“Sometimes you have to eat a whole cucumber,” he often tells viewers before preparing his flavored pickles. “I'll show you the best way to do it.”
Since starting his pickle series, Moffitt has inspired countless online users to try the recipes for themselves and create their own versions. Recipe developer and lifestyle influencer Hajar Larbah, who goes by the name moribyan on TikTok, made Buldak Carbonara-flavored pickles using an entire package of Buldak Cream Carbonara sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, Parmesan cheese, and fresh green onions.
Compared to most TikTok food trends (think baked feta cheese pasta, Nature's Cereal, and Sleepy Girl Mocktail), the flavored pickles have defied the usual online trend cycle. Moffitt's first video was filmed in early July and is still a social media hit, even amid a “multi-state outbreak” of salmonella traced to contaminated pickles.
The outbreak has been traced to two Florida-based fruit and vegetable wholesalers, Bedner Growers, Inc. and Thomas Produce Company, although a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that “these growers are not responsible for all of the illnesses in this outbreak.” The CDC suspects that the number of sick people in the outbreak is much higher than reported because many people “recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.” In addition, “recent illnesses may not yet be reported because it typically takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if an ill person is part of an outbreak,” the agency said.
With the growing and harvesting season for wholesale fruit and vegetable distributors now over, “there is no product from these farmers on the market and there is likely no further risk to the public,” the CDC wrote. That means Moffitt can continue its cucumber line and home cooks can happily participate.
Cucumbers are undoubtedly enjoying their well-deserved time in the spotlight. And while many are just beginning to understand the versatility of this staple, the fact is that they have always The Vegetables. When it comes to health, cucumbers are full of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants. They also contain plenty of soluble fiber, which boosts metabolism, and water, making them great for hydration.
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In culinary terms, cucumbers have little flavor of their own, making them easy to incorporate into countless recipes, whether as a side dish, a simple snack, or a full meal. There's Martha Stewart's sautéed cucumbers (yes, cucumbers can be sautéed!), which are deliciously coated with butter, salt, and fresh dill. There's Anna Tobias' cucumber and cashew curry, which combines chunks of fresh cucumber with cashews and a spiced coconut milk base. There's also this cold cucumber soup with yogurt and dill, courtesy of Food & Wine.
Although demand for fresh cucumbers has increased in the United States since the 1970s, cucumbers have largely remained an underappreciated and undervalued product. Moffit's recipes open up new possibilities for cucumbers beyond simple raw salads and easy vegetable dip combinations.
In an interview with CNN, Moffit, who first became known for making homemade kimchi and cold noodles, said he hopes his “stress-free” and “easy” recipes are inspiring to all cooks, regardless of skill level. Even when cucumber season is over, he will enjoy the vegetable to his heart's content, Moffitt said.
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