All content copyright Katrina Hall 2008 through 2025

Monday, February 20, 2012

finnish cucumber salad




It all started when I bumped into Susan from the Farmers Market the other day. While we were bemoaning the lack of arugula, our talk drifted to favorite summer vegetables, and when I asked her which she missed the most, she answered "crisp cucumbers".

While I have loved cucumbers my whole life, for some reason I haven't been eating them lately and I wondered if it was because , eaten plain, after a while they get a little boring. Then I remembered a sweet and sour cucumber salad from the summer I worked in a Finnish restaurant. The cucumbers are left unpeeled, cut paper thin, then marinated for a few hours in a vinegar, sugar, and fresh dill dressing. I've been eating this salad for two days, and still haven't gotten tired of it. The cucumbers still remain fairly crisp, even after two days in the fridge, though I prefer them freshly made and bathed for a few short hours.

Because of the marinade, the cucumbers are a little messy, but you can serve them in small bowls - all the better to drink the last of the marinade . This salad is also good in subs, or as a summery side to supper.

Finnish Cucumber Salad:

2 medium to large garden cucumbers, well scrubbed but not peeled
1/2 cup sugar
1 T. kosher salt
a few grinds of pepper, or white pepper
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup fresh dill, destemmed, finely chopped or minced

Slice the cucumbers paper thin, place in medium bowl.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper, and dill and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Pour the marinade over the cucumbers and gently stir well.
Cover and place in fridge for at least two hours before eating.

That's it - enjoy!

You might also like Finnish Fruit "soup", which is actually a compote and a delicious winter breakfast.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

This is a lovely recipe and so simple, thank you very much, i will feature very soon here on the ship I work

katrina said...

It IS simple, isn't it - glad you enjoyed! Going back to your blog to read much more of your onboard life...

Marianne said...

I love love love this salad, Katrina. We've been making it in my family for years. I think the recipe came from my German grandmother.

katrina said...

No kidding, Marianne! I always think of German food as quite heavy, but I'm sure I'm wrong. Wherever it came from, it's simple and delicious:)

Barb said...

I think you must have been peeking in my fridge because I have a couple of cukes in there and I was kind of wondering what to do with them??? You just solved that dilemma - thank you once again.

By the way, I finally made a roasted chicken this past weekend and it was delicious!!! equally good was the delicious aroma that filled the house (and left overs were a good and helpful thing too!). Roast chicken is probably destined to become a staple around here, I think.

thanks again, Katrina.

katrina said...

Oh, Barb - how exciting! Your first roasted chicken - I'm delighted! And you are so right about the scent that wafts through the house ,mmm making me hungry just thinking about it. Congratulations to you, and hope you like this cucumber salad as much as I do!

Barb said...

Hi Katrina!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

I hope you have a very happy day to celebrate and a wonderful year ahead!

Barb

katrina said...

Awww, thank you, Barb!