Cucumbers are a widely cultivated vegetable that belongs to the gourd family. It grows as a creeping vine over the ground, the fruits forming from bright yellow flowers. It will grow up supporting frames, making it easier tog row in greenhouses. Cucumbers were native to South Asia, but are now grown world-wide.

A number of varieties are cultivated. The long cucumbers are grown for use in a salad. The short ones are grown for pickling. Pickled cucumbers are soaked in brine or vinegar in which spices such as chills have been added. Pickled cucumbers are called "pickles" in the US and "gherkins" in the UK.