Q&Me cucumbers

Who's behind it

Q&Me is a quality label for Dutch cucumbers that growers have to qualify for. The bar is set at craftsmanship and collaboration. One of the growers is Snack Products, run by brothers Gert and Willy van Bussel. They learned the trade from their father and have been growing cucumbers for over fifteen years. On their farm they keep their own trial garden where they assess varieties and test new growing ideas before they go into the greenhouse. The greenhouses behind the label are spread across the Netherlands, so the distance from greenhouse to kitchen stays short and the cucumber arrives young and fresh.

Why this cucumber

Q&Me reports up to 70 per cent more dry matter than a standard cucumber. You notice it when you slice, marinate or heat it: the flesh is firmer and holds on to its moisture. The flesh is light green, the skin dark green and thin enough to use as is. Your plate stays dry and you get more flavour per bite. Besides the standard cucumber there are midis, mini snack cucumbers and the heart cucumber, shaped by placing a mould around the fruit just before harvest.

In your kitchen

Quick pickle or ferment it: the structure keeps its bite, even after days in brine. Char halved cucumbers briefly over high heat for a warm side. Or shave it raw and razor-thin with a dressing that clings. The minis and hearts go straight on the table as amuse or garnish. On the menu, name it as Dutch cucumber from a grower with its own trial garden.