Moroccan Cucumber Salad
Quick grated cucumber salad with lemon, bergamot, and a touch of sugar. Chill 10 minutes and serve with grilled foods.
Simple, cool, and refreshing. This salad is excellent for hot weather and grilled food.
Yield: 4 servings
- Grate unpeeled hot house cucumbers, add sugar, lemon, bergamot, and salt. Let rest 10 minutes or chill up to a few hours.
- Start with small amounts of sugar and lemon, then adjust to taste. Finish with cracked pepper before serving.
- Serve cold as a fresh side to spicy or grilled dishes; salad will release water the longer it sits.
Preparation Instructions:
thespicehouse.com
More About This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
Why grate the cucumber instead of slicing it?
Grating breaks the cucumber into fine, juicy pieces that soak up the dressing quickly. The texture becomes soft and cooling, which pairs well with spicy or grilled foods. If you prefer crunch, slice instead.
How much sugar and lemon should I use?
Start small and taste. For 1 medium hot house cucumber try 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, then add more if you like it sweeter or tangier. Increase amounts proportionally if you use more cucumbers.
What can I use instead of bergamot extract?
If you do not have bergamot, use a few drops of orange blossom water, a pinch of orange zest, or a tiny bit of Earl Grey tea syrup for a similar citrusy, floral note. Bergamot is strong, so use sparingly.
How long can I refrigerate this salad?
For best texture and flavor serve within 10 minutes to 4 hours. You can keep it up to 24 hours in the fridge, but it will release more liquid and become softer over time.
How do I keep the salad from getting too watery?
After grating, gently press the cucumber in a sieve or clean towel to remove excess water. Use less salt until just before serving. Chill uncovered briefly before serving to let extra moisture drain.
Should I peel or seed the cucumbers?
Hot house cucumbers have thin skin and mild seeds, so you can leave both on for color and nutrients. For garden cucumbers with thicker skin or large seeds, peel or scoop seeds for a milder, less bitter result.
What dishes pair well with this salad?
This salad is great with spicy ribs, grilled meats, kebabs, fish, sandwiches, or as part of a mezze spread. Its cool, bright flavor balances rich or spicy foods.
Why grate the cucumber instead of slicing it?
Grating breaks the cucumber into fine, juicy pieces that soak up the dressing quickly. The texture becomes soft and cooling, which pairs well with spicy or grilled foods. If you prefer crunch, slice instead.
How much sugar and lemon should I use?
Start small and taste. For 1 medium hot house cucumber try 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, then add more if you like it sweeter or tangier. Increase amounts proportionally if you use more cucumbers.
What can I use instead of bergamot extract?
If you do not have bergamot, use a few drops of orange blossom water, a pinch of orange zest, or a tiny bit of Earl Grey tea syrup for a similar citrusy, floral note. Bergamot is strong, so use sparingly.
How long can I refrigerate this salad?
For best texture and flavor serve within 10 minutes to 4 hours. You can keep it up to 24 hours in the fridge, but it will release more liquid and become softer over time.
How do I keep the salad from getting too watery?
After grating, gently press the cucumber in a sieve or clean towel to remove excess water. Use less salt until just before serving. Chill uncovered briefly before serving to let extra moisture drain.
Should I peel or seed the cucumbers?
Hot house cucumbers have thin skin and mild seeds, so you can leave both on for color and nutrients. For garden cucumbers with thicker skin or large seeds, peel or scoop seeds for a milder, less bitter result.
What dishes pair well with this salad?
This salad is great with spicy ribs, grilled meats, kebabs, fish, sandwiches, or as part of a mezze spread. Its cool, bright flavor balances rich or spicy foods.
Strange that the recipe calls for grated cucumber but the photo shows slices. I would definitely use slices. Grated cucumber is not common in salads.