It’s not your average cucumber, that’s for sure. With its creamy white skin and flesh, the “Silver Slicer” doesn’t even look like a cucumber. But the organic variety, started by former Cornell breeder Molly Jahn and perfected by current Calvin Noyes Keeney assistant professor of breeding Michael Mazourek with the help of farmer Michael Glos, is a winner. It has a sweet, mild flavor, thin, tender skin, and resistance to the pesky powdery mildew. It was recently named by Better Homes and Gardens as one of the top new edible plants of 2014. You can buy it from Harris or High Mowing Seeds.
Mazourek is also featured in a great Scientific American magazine article, which also highlights the work of horticulturist Thomas Bjorkman as scientists who are creating tastier and healthier fruits and veggies as a modern alternative to GMOs. And check out the cool interactive graphic by CALS alumna Marissa Fessenden ‘09!
