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An overhead photo of a bowl of cucumber salsa with a spoon.
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4.50 from 4 votes

Cooling Cucumber Salsa—Mediterranean-Style

Easy, extra cooling cucumber salad with a Mediterranean-style twist. Serve with pita chips, on crostini, or as a condiment to grilled fish.
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American/Mediterranean
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 6
Author: Suzy Karadsheh

Ingredients

  • 1 large English cucumber
  • 1 to 2 jalapeños, chopped (see note)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes)
  • 1 to 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 1 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios (optional)

Instructions

  • Stripe the cucumber: Trim the ends off the cucumber. Starting at one end, peel off a strip of skin lengthwise. Skip a section and then peel another strip next to the first one, leaving a strip of skin in between. Continue this pattern, peeling and leaving strips, until you have “partially peeled” or “striped” the entire cucumber.
  • Seed and chop the cucumber. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then use a metal spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds. Chop the cucumber into small pieces and add to a medium mixing bowl.
  • Mix. To the mixing bowl, add the jalapeño, Aleppo pepper, shallot, cilantro, lime juice, a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil, a big dash of salt, and the pistachios (if using). Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.
  • Serve. Use like a condiment for roasted proteins, or transfer to a serving bowl and serve with your favorite chips, pita chips, or toasted baguette slices.

Video

Notes

  • Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil and Aleppo pepper used in this recipe.
  • For a spicier salsa, leave the seeds on the jalapeños.
  • Look for English cucumbers (or swap in 3-4 Persian cucumbers), which have a more tender skin and sweeter flesh. If all you have is a standard slicing cucumber, peel off the skin entirely as it tends to be bitter.

Nutrition

Calories: 47.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.6g | Protein: 1.7g | Fat: 2.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1.2g | Sodium: 6.3mg | Potassium: 182.9mg | Fiber: 1.7g | Sugar: 2.1g | Vitamin A: 331.1IU | Vitamin C: 11.9mg | Calcium: 24.8mg | Iron: 0.6mg

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