Cucumber salad is a simple and light recipe for a side dish with a fresh flavor.
For a different dressing follow my tips, grandma Benedetta’s favorite is indicated below, but there are many variations and I’m here to list them all.
CUCUMBER SEASONALITY: from May to October.
RECIPES with cucumbers
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 1 Person
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Healthy
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Energy 38.82 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 3.44 (g) of which sugars 1.58 (g)
- Proteins 0.65 (g)
- Fat 2.91 (g) of which saturated 0.43 (g)of which unsaturated 0.04 (g)
- Fibers 0.53 (g)
- Sodium 391.15 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 100 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Cucumber Salad
- 1 cucumber (about 3.5 oz per person)
- 2 g fresh spring onions (or very thin slices of white or red Tropea onion)
- to taste fine salt
- Half tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar or lemon juice)
- Half tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- to taste wild fennel (or fennel fronds)
HERBS (or spices) to choose from: wild garlic, dill, basil, coriander, cumin seeds, chives, lovage, marjoram, mint, oregano, paprika, fresh chili, parsley, celery, thyme.
INGREDIENTS to combine for a big salad: minced garlic, apricots, capers, carrots, croutons, fennel, nuts, apple, melon, Japanese loquats, olives, boiled potatoes, pears, peaches, tomatoes (note that the catalase enzyme in cucumbers interferes with the absorption of vitamin C from tomatoes), radishes, sesame or sunflower seeds, baby spinach, zucchini.
Tools
- Cutting Board
- Knife smooth blade
Cucumber Salad
First of all, wash the cucumber well, if organic you can use it with the peel, otherwise it is advisable to peel it. Slice it thinly and place it in a salad bowl.
Add the fresh onion thinly sliced, season with salt, vinegar, and oil. Add the preferred herb.
Mix and serve immediately.
STORE the cucumber salad
Once dressed, cucumber salad should be consumed as soon as possible, as it loses crunchiness and flavor over time.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can you dress cucumber salad?
Cucumbers can be dressed in many tasty ways.
For a classic touch, add oil, salt, and pepper.
For a fresher flavor, use apple cider vinegar or citrus juice.
Or mix yogurt with mint and minced garlic.
For a crunchy touch, add seeds (amaranth, hemp, chia, sunflower, flax, poppy, quinoa, sesame) or chopped nuts.How can you eat cucumber?
Cucumbers can be eaten in salad slices (more or less thin depending on your tastes), diced, or as sticks (great for dips or with hummus).
Raw it is good in sandwiches, sushi, skewers, or in flavored water or smoothies.
Cooked it can be sautéed, grilled, added to soups, or pickled.How many cucumbers can you eat in a day?
You can eat 1-2 cucumbers per day without issues, but the ideal amount depends on your nutritional needs and personal tolerance.
What should not be eaten with cucumbers?
It is better to avoid eating cucumbers with cheese, as it can be a hard-to-digest combination for some people.
What can be done to make cucumbers more digestible?
To make cucumbers more digestible, use only very fresh cucumbers, peel them, remove the ends and internal seeds. You can also marinate them in vinegar or lemon to make them easier to digest.
Do you eat cucumbers with or without the peel?
The peel contains the most important nutrients, so it is preferable to eat it, especially if the cucumbers are natural and chemical-free, thus untreated.
What are the contraindications of cucumber?
Cucumber is rich in water, fiber, and nutrients, generally promoting hydration and digestion. However, it can occasionally accumulate toxins like cucurbitacins, which give it a bitter taste. Cucurbitacin concentrates at the cucumber ends, especially if old. It’s important to remove the peel and ends if they are bitter or hard, as they are likely to contain such substances.
It’s important to choose and purchase only fresh, high-quality cucumbers.
