Cold Asian Cucumber Salad

We have gotten a lot of cucumbers from our farm share lately. Here is a nice cool summer salad that you can make with the cucumbers.

Step 1: Cut cucumbers into ~ 3 inch pieces.

Step 2: Smash the cucumber with the side of a heavy cleaver. It may be easier to smash if you cut the cucumbers halfway down the center first.

Step 3: Add salt (about 1 teaspoon) and let the cucumbers sit for at least 20 minutes to let the water out (osmosis).

Step 4: Pour out the cucumber juices that have collected at the bottom of the bowl. Squeeze the cucumbers with your hands, add more salt, and let it sit for another 10 minutes or so.

Step 5: Squeeze the cucumbers again and remove as much water as possible.

Step 6: Add sesame oil, soy sauce, finely chopped or pressed garlic, sugar, and dried red pepper flakes to taste. I usually use about 1 garlic clove, a teaspoon of sesame oil, a teaspoon of soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. This is quite subjective, and feel free to play around with the amounts to taste.

Enjoy!