Smashed Cucumber Salad

This is a fun way to change up your cucumber salad routine. Salting and smashing the veggie is a bit like salting and massaging kale, changing the texture and making it easier for dressing ingredients to quickly soak into the cucumber.

Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber
• 1-2 teaspoons sesame oil
• Pinch of sugar (optional)
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes, or one or two crushed chiltepins
• 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
• Drizzle rice wine vinegar

Cut ends off of cucumber, slice in half lengthwise and salt cut sides with a generous sprinkle of salt. Set aside for 20 minutes. Drain away any moisture from the cucumber and place each half cut side down on a cutting board. Use a cleaver or the bottom of a sturdy mug to hit the cucumber, smashing the whole length down. Roughly chop into bite size pieces and place in a bowl. Mix together a bit of toasted sesame oil, vinegar and soy sauce and add crushed garlic, chile and sugar to taste. Pour over cucumbers and massage together a bit. Taste for seasoning and anything as needed to make a spicy, garlickly cucumber salad. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.

Submitted by Sara Jones, Tucson CSA