Hungarian Cucumber Salad Recipe - Uborkasaláta (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting watery? ›

The solution: The standard recommendation for ridding watery vegetable such as cucumbers of unwanted moisture is to salt them. The salt draws out the liquid from the vegetable because of the natural tendency of salt water solutions to equalize when mixed together.

Should you peel your cucumbers for cucumber salad? Again, it depends on the variety and maturity of the cucumber. English or Persian cucumbers have thin skins which you do not need to peel. Regular market cucumbers may have thicker peels that can be tough and bitter, so it's best to peel those.

Wash the cucumbers, peel if desired, and cut into the shape you need. Place in a bowl and toss with enough kosher salt to coat evenly (approximately 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per pound). Transfer to a colander set over a bowl or sink and let sit for 30 minutes.

Smashing the cucumber disrupts its internal structure in a wild, haphazard way, leaving some areas completely intact and crisp, while reducing other areas to tender rubble. It's this latter part that makes the smashed cucumbers particularly tasty, as it absorbs the flavor of the vinegar and the garlic.

Cucumbers are often soaked in salt water to remove some of the naturally high water content. Cucumbers will otherwise give up water and dilute the salad dressing. Unpeeled cucumbers are higher in nutritional value as fiber and vitamin A are lost by peeling.

Salt: The secret to the best cucumber salad is to salt your cucumbers. The salt makes the cucumbers taste better and removes excess water, diluting the dressing. I use sea salt, but any salt will do. Vinegar: I love apple cider vinegar in this dressing, but distilled or white wine vinegar also works nicely.

Persian Cucumbers

They have a mild flavor and thin skins, so they're great sliced or chopped for salads and snacking, or even tossed in the blender to make a Spicy Cucumber Margarita. And because they're available year-round, Persian cukes are another good choice for pickling.

Rinse produce BEFORE you peel it, so dirt and bacteria aren't transferred from the knife onto the fruit or vegetable. Gently rub produce while holding under plain running water. There's no need to use soap or a produce wash. Use a clean vegetable brush to scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers.

Just place the slices or chunks in a colander over a bowl or sink. Sprinkle them with a couple of pinches of salt, toss to coat, and let them rest for about 30 minutes. Pat them dry with a paper towel and proceed with the recipe.

This cucumber salad recipe features thinly sliced cucumbers, red onion, fresh dill, and a sweet and tangy vinegar dressing. Cooling and refreshing, this summer salad is a perfect BBQ or picnic side dish.

Why do some people hate the taste of cucumber? ›

Specifically, the genes bi-1, which make fruit and foliage taste non-bitter, and Bt-1, which makes fruit and foliage taste bitter. When it comes to cucumbers, the gene TAS2R38 (taste 2 receptor member 38), located on chromosome 7, is known to be responsible for their repugnance.

Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium dog biscuit. Cucumbers are also very low in sodium and fat-free.

Salt has the ability to draw out moisture from ingredients like fruits and veggies, leading to a reduction in water content, size, and their (once inviting) crispy, crunchy texture.

Cucumbers are sensitive to ethylene gas released by other fruits or vegetables nearby and wrapping helps protect them from it. (If you do opt for the crisper, vents open, please.) The best option, however, is to seal your wrapped cucumber in a zip-top bag and store it in the fridge door.

Storing cucumbers below fifty degrees Fahrenheit can cause chilling injuries, such as mushy spots and faster spoilage. If you cannot store cucumbers in the crisper drawer, store them in the warmest part of the fridge, toward the front.