Cool as a cucumber...and a canary melon!

What to eat to beat the heat?

Few things are as refreshing as cucumbers... If cucumbers leave you uninspired, then you've been eating the tasteless, seedy, waxy oversize cukes from the supermarket for too long. Farmer's Market cucumbers are crunchy, bright and packed with flavor.

They are great in salads, yes, but vegetable guru Elizabeth Schneider says you should treat raw cucumber as you would lemon slices: Use them to perfume and brighten mixed drinks, water, and even summer lemon or limeade. She likes to puree them with buttermilk or yogurt and ice for a refreshing savory drink.

Try them in a cocktail, as in this herbaceous summer quaff: cucumber gin cocktail. Or in a popsicle as in this cucumber mint paleta.

This super seasonal cucumber salad with honey and chile oil invites melon to the party.

Chilled melon, of course, is also the perfect antidote to a summer swelter. Madura Farms is bringing their popular Canary melons, so named for their bright yellow skin. Their super sweet flesh is pale green and has the texture of a pear. Here's a recipe for chilled canary melon soup which should taste just about perfect by Sunday. I've been craving canary melon granita all week.

See you at the market!