Cook it 5 Ways: Cucumber

The title of this article may have you wondering – who even cooks cucumber? Marwaris certainly do, as I found out after marriage. My mother-in-law chops cucumber and adds it to mixed vegetable preparations. There are many other things you can do with this refreshing and juicy vegetable too, apart from simply chopping it up and seasoning with salt and pepper.

Here are five cucumber recipes you should try at once:

Khamang Kakdi

Cucumber peanut salad is a staple in Maharashtrian homes and once you try it, you’ll want it at every meal. To make this, take a cucumber that is peeled and chopped and season it with salt. Squeeze the extract out and transfer the cucumber to another bowl. Add asafoetida, peanut powder, scraped coconut, chillies, lemon juice and sugar and mix well. Add some chopped coriander leaves next and toss it well.

Kakdichi Tausali

This Konkani specialty makes for a satisfying dessert or festive treat. To prepare, mix grated cucumber, jaggery, grated coconut, cardamom powder, powdered cashew and almonds. Add the rice flour, semolina, oil and mix well. Line a plate with the mixture and cook in a steamer or oven for 15-20 minutes. Check to see if it’s done with a toothpick or fork. Upturn the cake, cut into square-shaped pieces and serve.

Cucumber and Mint Soup

This chilled soup is perfect for a hot summer day and so easy to make. Put the cucumbers in a liquidiser. Then, add yoghurt, ice-cold water, lemon juice, vegetable stock, garlic, mint leaves and salt to taste. Churn together till well blended.

Cucumber and Feta Salad

This tasty salad happens to be rather good-looking too. Start by peeling and slicing a cucumber into three parts. Scoop all three pieces out from the middle and keep it aside. In a bowl, mix in broken wheat, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, olives, parsley, cumin powder, lemon juice and salt. Fill in the mixture inside the cucumber cavities and top it off with feta cheese.

Kappa Maki (Cucumber Rice Roll)

Thanks to cucumber, vegetarians can enjoy Japanese maki rolls too. Start by cutting the cucumber and keep it aside. Take a sushi mat and place a seaweed on top. Add rice and spread it well on the seaweed. Sprinkle the pickle plum powder on the rice and add the cut cucumber pieces. Roll this and cut into small pieces.