Crunchy Smashed Cucumber Salad with Feta and Sesame
A tangy, crunchy Mediterranean-inspired cucumber salad.
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Rate this RecipeEquipment
- Meat Mallet Or any heavy flat object to smash cucumbers.
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Strainer For draining cucumbers.
- Whisk For preparing the dressing.
Ingredients
- 2 english cucumbers Smash for better dressing absorption.
- 2 teaspoon salt For draining cucumbers.
- 1 small shallot Minced finely.
- 3 tablespoon lemon juice Freshly squeezed for tanginess.
- 3 tablespoon olive oil Extra virgin preferred.
- 0.5 teaspoon dried mint
- 0.5 teaspoon sumac Optional, adds citrusy flavor.
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper Freshly ground for best flavor.
- 2 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese Adds creaminess and saltiness.
- 2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds Toast for enhanced flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Start with 2 English cucumbers. Place them on a sturdy cutting board and use a meat mallet or a heavy flat object to gently smash the cucumbers until they flatten slightly. Slice each cucumber lengthwise into halves and then cut into 1 ½-inch pieces. Smash the pieces again to create more surface area for absorbing the dressing. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of salt over the smashed cucumbers, toss to coat evenly, and transfer them to a strainer set over a bowl. Let them drain for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- While the cucumbers are draining, prepare the dressing. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of dried mint, ½ teaspoon of sumac, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 small minced shallot. This vibrant mixture brings together tangy, earthy, and citrusy notes that will elevate the cucumbers.
- After 30 minutes, pat the cucumbers dry with a paper towel to ensure they’re ready to soak up the dressing. Add the dried cucumbers to the bowl of dressing and toss gently until they are well coated. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of crumbled feta cheese and 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds over the top. Toss lightly to combine all the elements without breaking the cucumbers.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter or bowl. For added presentation, consider garnishing with a sprinkle of sumac or additional sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the crunchiest results, though the salad can be refrigerated for up to 1 hour before serving.
Notes
To keep cucumbers crunchy, serve the salad immediately after mixing with the dressing.