Kapanlagi.com - Cucumber is a versatile vegetable that can be processed into various delicious dishes in many countries. From fresh salads to tasty stir-fries, each country has a unique way of processing cucumbers, creating distinctive flavors that are appetizing and easy to make.
With its crunchy texture and refreshing taste, cucumber is often used as a main ingredient in traditional as well as modern dishes. These recipes from various countries are not only practical but also offer a new culinary experience that you can try at home for a variation in your daily meals.
Let’s take a look at some practical cucumber vegetable recipes from various countries that are a must-try. Come on, let’s check it out, KLovers!
1. Sunomono (Japan)
Sunomono is a traditional Japanese cucumber salad with a fresh and tangy flavor from rice vinegar. This dish is light, refreshing, and often served as a side dish, providing a perfect balance of flavors in traditional Japanese cuisine. Here’s how to make this cucumber vegetable dish:
Ingredients:
- 2 Japanese cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
1. Mix the cucumber slices with salt, let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out the water.
2. Combine rice vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce in a bowl, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add the cucumbers to the sauce mixture, and mix well.
4. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, serve cold.
2. Smashed Cucumber Salad (China)
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Illustration (credit: pixabay.com)
This cucumber salad is popular in China with a crunchy texture and a spicy-savory seasoning. The cucumbers are smashed to better absorb the seasoning, resulting in a strong and refreshing flavor. It is suitable as a side dish for rich or spicy main courses. Here is how to make this cucumber dish:
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers, smash until cracked then chop coarsely
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)
Instructions:
1. Smash the cucumbers until cracked, then chop coarsely.
2. Mix garlic, soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil, salt, sugar, and chili powder.
3. Stir well with the cucumbers, let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the seasoning to soak in.
4. Serve fresh as a food accompaniment.
3. Tzatziki (Greek)
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Illustration (credit: pixabay.com)
Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce made from yogurt with a fresh taste of cucumber and garlic. It is usually served as a dip for pita bread or as a complement to grilled dishes such as gyros and kebabs, providing a balance of smooth and refreshing flavors. Here is how to make this cucumber vegetable preparation:
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess water
- 250 grams of Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of chopped dill (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix the yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add the squeezed cucumber, and stir well.
3. Add the dill if using, and stir again.
4. Chill in the refrigerator before serving as a dip.
4. Korean Spicy Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim)
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Illustration (credit: pixabay.com)
Oi Muchim is a traditional Korean spicy cucumber salad that has a fresh, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor. This dish is often served as a refreshing banchan (side dish), perfect to accompany heavy meals like grilled meat or warm white rice. Here is how to make this cucumber vegetable dish:
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili powder)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions:
1. Sprinkle salt on the cucumber slices, let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and drain.
2. Mix gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in a bowl.
3. Add the cucumbers, and mix well until the seasonings are absorbed.
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds before serving.
5. Cucumber Salad (Denmark)
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Illustration (credit: pixabay.com)
Cucumber Salad is a traditional Danish cucumber salad served as a side dish, especially with roasted meat or fish. It has a light, fresh taste with a perfect balance of sweetness and sourness that makes it suitable for various Scandinavian dishes. Here is how to make this cucumber vegetable dish:
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions:
1. Combine apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add the cucumbers, tossing to coat evenly with the dressing.
3. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
4. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
6. Indian Cucumber Raita (India)
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Illustration (credit: pixabay.com)
Raita is a traditional Indian side dish made from yogurt and cucumber, providing a cooling effect to balance the spiciness of Indian cuisine. Raita is often served alongside curry, biryani, or other strongly spiced dishes to offer a refreshing sensation. Here’s how to make this cucumber dish:
Ingredients:
- 1 cucumber, grated
- 200 grams of plain yogurt
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chopped mint leaves
- 1/2 tsp chili powder (optional)
Instructions:
1. Mix the yogurt, salt, ground cumin, and mint leaves in a bowl.
2. Add the grated cucumber, and stir until well combined.
3. If you like it spicy, add a little chili powder.
4. Chill before serving as a complement to the main dish.
These are some cucumber recipes from various countries that you must try. There are many more recipe recommendations that KLovers can discover by reading articles on kapanlagi.com. Because, if not now, when?
(kpl/dhm)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.