The continental (also known as telegraph) cucumbers are very similar to the Lebanese cucumbers but are much longer in length. They are a long and thin, dark green and ribbed cucumber. Continental cucumbers are often individually wrapped to maintain freshness and keep the vegetable from losing moisture.

It is best with continental cucumbers to slice them across so you don’t have to use the whole cucumber at one time.

Depending on the size of your salad, you may not need to use the whole cucumber.

Most of the time with a continental cucumber you won’t use the whole thing. Store in the crisper section of the fridge wrapped in plastic. Select a firm cucumber without any yellowing.

Sliced diagonally continental cucumbers are most common on salad sandwiches.

Sliced into sticks, these cucumbers are good to use on a dipping plate along with carrot and celery. Great dips to try are hummus, tzatziki (which can easily be made using cucumber, natural yoghurt and garlic) and roasted capsicum.