Smashing cucumbers is a delicious and rustically beautiful preparation that is common across Asia. Smashing them creates a variety of different textures, and draining them concentrates the flavor. This is a simple-to-prepare dish but it packs personality!
| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 15 min |
| Active: | 15 min |
| Yield: | 4 to 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 pound Persian or mini cucumbers
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
- Toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the cucumbers in a resealable plastic bag. Seal and use the palm of your hand to lightly smash the cucumbers. Take the cucumbers out of the bag and cut into 1-inch chunks. Add to a bowl and season with salt. Toss to coat.
- Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar and chile flakes in a medium bowl. Whisk to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the cucumbers, then toss and garnish with the toasted sesame seeds and cilantro.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 30 |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 195 mg |
Reviews
So good!! This is a recipe worth doubling. I use balsamic vinegar, as I can’t seem to find the Chinese black specified. And I go for the tenderizing mallet for smashing the cukes to get a the job done.
I have made this several times now. It is delicious! This is now on repeat in our house! Thanks Molly!
I saw you make it on your show and wasn’t sure if I’d like the smashed version but it is so delicious and marinates so much quicker! I did use rice vinegar until I get the black vinegar. This is my go-to recipe from now on! Thank you!!
This was a nice change for a side dish in the summer time. I could not find black vinegar so I used red wine vinegar.
So refreshing and easy to make!
I may be just a weakling, but even when I lean on them, some won’t smash. Good recipe, I’ve made it several times and ordered the black vinegar from Amazon.
Easy to make.
Great flavors
Great flavors
This was fun to make – who doesn’t want to smash something every once in awhile?! I substituted rice wine vinegar for the black vinegar, but other than that I made no substitutions. It was bright and refreshing! I’ll make this again.
I served my salad with kimchee pancakes! Yum!
It is everything Molly says it is, cool and refreshing and perfect with the Kung Pao chicken!