Cucumber Greek Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How many cucumbers do you need to make a salad? ›

In this recipe, I call for English cucumbers, the variety that often comes wrapped in plastic at the grocery store. They have very thin, delicate skins, so there's no need to peel them. If you can't find English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers are a great substitute.

The solution: The standard recommendation for ridding watery vegetable such as cucumbers of unwanted moisture is to salt them. The salt draws out the liquid from the vegetable because of the natural tendency of salt water solutions to equalize when mixed together.

Pickled cucumbers can help with weight loss, support blood sugar regulation or even prevent cancer. However, scientists also warn that high sodium content can increase the risk of stomach cancer in people who eat too much pickled cucumber.

Salt can bring out the natural flavours of cucumbers and make them taste more vibrant. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over sliced cucumbers and let them sit for a few minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse the cucumbers with water to remove the salt and pat them dry. The result will be a crisper and tastier cucumber.

Chop off both ends of the cucumber. Holding the cucumber down on the cutting board, use long strokes from end to end with the peeler to create long, thin strips. Alternatively, for rounds: Hold the cucumber steady in one hand and run the peeler along one of the cut ends of the cucumber to create thin round slices.

A few favorites include 'Beit Alpha,' which is grown for its sweet flavor and exceptionally thin skin. 'Suyo Long' is a seedless, mild-flavored variety from northern China that grows about 18 inches long. 'China Jade' has striking yellow-green flesh and long, thin-skinned fruit.

1 consists of cucumbers which are fairly well colored, fairly well formed, not overgrown, and which are fresh, firm, and free from decay, sunscald and from damage caused by scars, yellowing, sunburn, dirt or other foreign materials, freezing, mosaic or other disease, insects, cuts, bruises, mechanical or other means.

When it comes to making the best cucumber salads, I find that unless you take the time to properly salt and drain the cukes, the end product is watery, limp, and less than tasty. This easy extra step makes extra crunchy slices, takes almost no effort at all, but gives a big payout in the crunch department.

How long do you rinse cucumbers after salting? ›

Sprinkle each half with about 1/4 teaspoon of salt, then place them in a colander. Let drain for about 30 minutes. Rinse lightly, and drain again. Cut into 1/8-to- 1/4-inch-thick slices and place in a bowl.

But even cucumbers can be elevated to greater deliciousness and versatility with a clever kitchen tip that you may not be aware of—salting. When you salt cucumber pieces or slices and let them sit for 30 minutes in a colander, the salt draws out excess moisture which then drains away.

Peel the cucumber, if desired, and trim the ends; cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Cut the halves lengthwise into ¼-inch-thick slices, then crosswise into enough ¼-inch pieces to measure ½ cup (1 cup).

Slicing your Cucumber

To slice cucumbers, peel them first, then cut them crosswise or lengthwise, depending on the recipe. For salads, slice them thinly or cut them into small cubes. For sandwiches, cut them into thin rounds or lengthwise strips. For pickles, slice them into rounds or spears, as directed in the recipe.