Lemon Cucumber Salad

Lemon cucumbers are named for their round, yellow appearance, not their flavor, which is sweet and mild. These cucumbers are delicious tossed in any kind of salad. We’ve shared two of our favorites.

 

Greek Salad with Lemon Cucumber

Ingredients

  • 3-5 lemon cucumbers unpeeled and quartered

  • 1 bell pepper, sliced into thin wedges

  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 red onion, sliced in half-rounds

  • 1/2 pound feta cheese, 1/2-inch chunks (not crumbled)

  • 1/2 cup calamata olives, pitted

Vinaigrette

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

     

Instructions:

  1. Place the cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.

  2. For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Add the feta and olives and toss lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

 

Lemon Cucumber with Pesto Dressing

Make a simple garden pesto from basil leaves crushed in a mortar pestle or food processor with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, parmesan and a little garlic. Toss with 3-4 sliced lemon cucumbers and voila.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 medium lemon cucumbers

  • 2 cups fresh Italian basil leaves (if no basil, you can get creative and use kale or carrot tops!)

  • 1/2 - 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 

  • 1/4 cup toasted nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, peanuts also work here as well)

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice , optional

  • 2 cloves garlic , or more to taste

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, to taste

  • fresh ground black pepper , to taste

  • 1/2 cup olive oil (approximately)

  • pinch red chili flakes (optional).