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Summer

Spicy Sesame Cucumbers

Spicy Sesame Cucumbers | A Salad For All Seasons

Can you bring the heat while remaining cool as a cuke?

You will with this easy, spicy, refreshing summer salad.  When I was a kid, my dad would take cucumbers from our garden, slice them and put them in a jar with nothing but apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.  The longer they sat, the better they were.  A cool and crunchy treat on a hot summer day.  Well this is a wink and a nod to that salad.  Try using a variety of cucumbers.  I’ve added English hothouse and Persian cucumbers to the mix.  Seasoned rice vinegar gives it spicier tang.  And the hot pepper flakes give this cucumber salad as much heat as you’d like to bring!

Naturally, this is one of those salads that gets better as it sits.  But you can certainly whip it up at the last minute, to add a cool and crunchy side to any meal.

 

Spicy Sesame Cucumbers | A Salad For All Seasons

 

I’ve used cucumbers from my local farm market as well as English hothouse cucumbers and some smaller Persian cucumbers.  Sliced spring onions add to the spice.  White sesame seeds provide some extra crunch.  But those hot red pepper flakes give this chilly summer salad a little (or a lot) of warmth.

 

Spicy Sesame Cucumbers | A Salad For All Seasons

 

This is such an easy side salad.  Make it in the morning and it will be very flavorful in time for dinner.

 

Spicy Sesame Cucumbers | A Salad For All Seasons

 

And some things never change.  I found myself doing exactly what I did in my youth.  When the cukes are gone, I’d drink the vinegar right out of the jar!  I love it that much and I hope you will, too!

 

Spicy Sesame Cucumbers | A Salad For All Seasons

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Spicy Sesame Cucumbers
Author: Anne @ A Salad For All Seasons
Prep time:  15 mins
Total time:  15 mins
Serves: 4-6 servings
 
A refreshing and spicy cucumber salad with sesame seeds, spring onions and red pepper flakes.
Ingredients
  • 4-6 cucumbers (I used 1 large slicing cucumber, 1 large English cucumber and 4 small Persian cucumbers)
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 Tablespoon of sugar
  • ¾ cup of seasoned rice vinegar
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons red chile flakes (more or less to taste)
  • 1 Tablespoon of white sesame seeds
  • 6 spring onions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
Instructions
  1. I used a mandolin to evenly and thinly slice all of the cucumbers. Toss the cucumbers in a large bowl with the sugar and salt. Let them rest for 30 minutes before transferring them to a colander for a good rinse. Drain them and then press them with a paper towel to absorb the excess moisture. Return them to your large bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the vinegar, garlic, chile flakes and sesame seeds. Pour this over your cucumbers and toss to coat.
  3. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, pour the cucumbers onto your serving dish and sprinkle with the spring onions. Garnish with a pinch more of sesame seed and red pepper flakes.
3.3.3077

 

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12 Comments

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Comments

  1. Angie@Angie's Recipes says

    August 15, 2015 at 4:54 am

    This is one of the BEST and PRETTIEST cucumber salad I have ever seen!
    Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted…Coconut Drinks and The Benefits Of Coconut OilMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne says

      August 16, 2015 at 1:26 am

      Thanks Angie! And spicy, too! : )

      Reply
  2. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

    August 15, 2015 at 6:44 pm

    Love the fresh, colorful look of it and especially the cool-spicy combo of flavors.
    Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted…Coffee & Cream PopsiclesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne says

      August 16, 2015 at 1:28 am

      Thanks so much, Denise! : )

      Reply
  3. Chris Scheuer says

    August 18, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    I could eat this salad for a whole meal. It looks wonderful Anne and it’s so fun that it was inspired by your dad!

    Reply
    • Anne says

      August 19, 2015 at 1:29 am

      Thanks so much Chris! And I think I did eat this for a whole meal! : )

      Reply
  4. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    August 18, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    Out garden has been doing an outstanding job of producing cukes this year! So I need recipes. And I’ve just found one. 🙂 This looks great — thanks.
    John/Kitchen Riffs recently posted…Tomato, Cucumber, and White Bean SaladMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne says

      August 19, 2015 at 1:31 am

      Thanks John! And I envy your cucumber garden! : )

      Reply
  5. Kris ~ Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies says

    September 3, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    For some strange reason, I have never enjoyed cucumbers. But, my parents love them, and I know my dad would especially love this salad, so I will make this for them the next time I see cucumbers laying on their counter 🙂
    Kris ~ Big Rigs ‘n Lil’ Cookies recently posted…Pumpkin SnickerdoodlesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anne says

      September 4, 2015 at 1:33 am

      Awww…I know several people who hate cucumbers. I love them….and pickles! : )

      Reply
  6. Linda T says

    August 6, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    My daughter requested a Persian meal for her birthday, so I included this recipe – it was delicious – just crisp and yummy with just the right amount of heat. At the last minute,
    I sliced some cold radishes and added them to the mix. Everyone LOVED this salad.

    Reply
    • Anne says

      August 6, 2017 at 9:48 pm

      Hi Linda! I’m glad you enjoyed this salad. It’s so good and so easy. And what a GREAT idea to add radishes! I LOVE radishes and I’m happy to sneak them in whenever I can. Thanks for letting me know how this salad worked out for you and for your kind comments! 🙂

      Reply

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