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Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Salad with Fresh Dill

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Cucumber Salad with Fresh Dill

This is the simplest of salads and a perfect way to usher in the summer that suddenly seems to be in a big hurry to arrive here in Central California.  Cucumbers have always been one of my favorite vegetables, so when I saw some beautiful, young Armenian cucumbers at the farmer’s market on Saturday, I couldn’t resist picking up a couple.  This simple cucumber side dish would be a perfect accompaniment to grilled meat or fish, but I usually eat it as an afternoon snack.

Sweet and Spicy Dilled Cucumber Salad

1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
pinch of crushed red pepper (to taste)
pinch of salt (to taste)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 medium cucumbers (peeled if desired), thinly sliced

Whisk together vinegar, sugar, crushed red pepper, and salt until the sugar is dissolved; whisk in chopped fresh dill.  Place sliced cucumbers in a bowl and pour dressing over them.  Toss well with a spoon until all of the slices are coated with dressing.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes; stir once or twice while it is marinating.  The salad can also be made ahead and refrigerated overnight.

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  3. Sami Rivard says

    This looks great for summer! I wanted to let you know that I have new food blog, inspired by yours! Pinch My Salt is one of my favorites and I've linked to if from my blog. Thanks for such a great site.
    Reply

  4. Kalyn says

    This sounds great! Over the weekend I discovered I have about 50 volunteer dill plants along one edge of my garden. I'm going to let them get big, then transplant them all into a group along the fence. Yaay for fresh dill!
    Reply

  5. Nicole says

    12th Man - I grew up eating them here in Central California, I had no idea that they weren't as common in other places. They seem to a be a favorite of gardeners around here. After doing some research I found out that they are technically melons, but they are very similar to cucumbers. They have a great texture, edible skin, and mild cucumber flavor. You should definitely give them a try if you can find some! Sami - Congrats on starting a food blog! I'll check it out :-) Kalyn - You should pickle some green beans with all that dill!
    Reply

  6. Year on the Grill says

    I love this... sadly, cucumbers is one of the few foods my wife just does not care for at all. Claims it upsets her stomach. So, will have to save this recipe for when we have company
    Reply

  7. Tori says

    So was that the Fresno Vineyard Farmer's Market at the corner of Shaw/Blackstone? If so, I was there too and couldn't resist the Armenian Cucumbers myself. Looks like a very delicious salad, can't wait to try it.
    Reply

  8. DessertForTwo says

    What part of Central Cali are you in? I'm in Nor Cal. I'm patiently awaiting my Armenian cucumber vines in my garden to produce! When they do, this recipe looks like a winner!
    Reply

  9. Nicole says

    Tori - Yes, that's the one! I think I'm gonna have to pick some more up tomorrow :-) DessertForTwo - I'm currently in Fresno. You should definitely try this with some of your garden cukes... it's delicious!
    Reply

  11. Alta says

    Sounds great! I have a few farmers market cucumbers that need to be used. Don't have dill, but I bet fresh parsley would work just fine. I'm primarily after that satisfying cool crunch anyway!
    Reply

  12. Louise says

    Hmmm American Cucumbers? I love Persians myself, gone are the days of regular old cucumbers. Lovely salad, I just love the taste of dill, wish my family did too.....
    Reply

  16. Liz says

    Use mirin instead of sugar and you won't need worry about the sugar dissolving. For my cucumber salad I use Japanese cucumbers, sushi vinegar and mirin. Sometimes dill, but it's expensive here, so usually I stick with local ingredients. (I'm in Tokyo, if it wasn't obvious from the ingredient list.)
    Reply

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