Cucumber Salad with Grapes and Almonds
This cucumber salad with grapes and almonds is one of my favorite summertime recipes! It’s light and refreshing, but also has a little bit of sweetness from the grapes and crunch from the almonds. I love to make it for potlucks or cookouts because it’s always a hit!
Ingredients
- -1/4 cup slivered and blanched almonds
- -1 pound cucumbers, peeled if the peel is thick or bitter, unpeeled if not
- -Kosher salt
- -1 teaspoon minced garlic
- -About 20 green grapes, sliced in half
- -2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- -1 teaspoon sherry or white wine vinegar
- -2 teaspoons minced chives, for garnish
Instructions
1. Slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds in the middle.
2. If using large cucumbers, slice them again lengthwise and then cut them crosswise into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch slices.
3. Place in a large bowl and sprinkle with a teaspoon of kosher salt. Toss to distribute the salt evenly around the cucumber pieces.
4. Let sit for 20 to 25 minutes while the salt helps pull excess moisture out of the cucumbers. Then rinse off the salt, drain the cucumbers, and squeeze out more excess moisture with paper towels.
5. In a small pan over medium-high heat, toss them often until they start to brown and smell good before moving to a bowl to cool off completely..
6. Mix cooled cucumbers, almonds, garlic, grapes, olive oil, vinegar together in a large bowl adding more salt to taste as necessary..
7 Garnish salad with chives prior to serving
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 107
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated fat: 6 g
- Trans fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Sodium: 505 mg
- Potassium: 344 mg
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar : 5g
FAQs
Should I leave the skin on a cucumber for a salad?
It depends on the cucumber. English or Persian cucumbers have thin skins which you don’t need to peel. Regular market cucumbers may have thicker peels that can be tough and bitter, so it’s best to peel those.
How do I keep my cucumber salad from getting watery?
If you want to avoid a watery cucumber salad, the best way to do so is by sprinkling salt on the cut pieces of cucumber. The salt encourages the cucumber to leach out excess liquid, which reduces the risk that your salad will be too watery. This method is simple and effective, and it won’t greatly affect the taste or texture of your salad. So if you’re looking for a way to keep your cucumber salad from getting watered down, give this method a try.
What’s the best way to eat cucumbers?
Eating cucumbers raw is by far the most nutritious way to enjoy this refreshing superfood. Cucumbers are an excellent source of vitamins K and C, as well as dietary fiber. Additionally, they contain a compound called lignans that may help protect against certain cancers. Eating cucumbers raw allows you to reap all these health benefits while also enjoying their delicious crunch.
There are many ways to incorporate raw cucumbers into your diet. Enjoy them as an on-the-go snack, chop them up for a light salad, or slice them up and dip them in your favorite spreads.
What tastes good on cucumbers?
There are a variety of things that taste good on cucumbers, depending on your personal preferences. Some people prefer to add vinegar to their cucumbers, while others prefer salt or sugar. You can also add chopped herbs like dill or basil, or even slices of tomato. Cilantro and sour cream are also popular toppings for cucumbers.
