Cucumber + Mexico: Smashed Cucumbers with Salsa Macha

Difficulty:
1/5

Ingredients:

Smashed Cucumber Salad:

  • 2 pounds (454 g) thin-skinned cucumbers (8-10 mini cukes)
  • Salt
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) sugar

 

Salsa Macha:

  • 4 large, dried ancho peppers, stemmed and seeded
  • 2 chili de arbol, stemmed and seeded
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) peanuts
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame seeds
  • 2 cups (470 ml) peanut oil
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • Salt
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) Mexican oregano
  • 2 limes, juice

 

Method:

For the Smashed Cucumber Salad:

Rinse and pat dry the cucumbers. Slice each in half lengthwise.

 

Place the halved cucumbers cut-side-down on a cutting board. Lay a flat-bottomed pan or tray on top the one cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole cucumber is smashed. Slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind and repeat with the remaining cucumbers. Crushing the cucumbers will allow the salt to penetrate quickly, the excess water to leach out faster, and flavours to be absorbed more readily.

 

Toss the smashed cucumbers with a large pinch of salt and the sugar. Transfer them to a strainer set over the sink and weight down with a plate. Allow the cucumbers to drain for 15-30 minutes.

 

For the Salsa Macha:

Meanwhile, make the Salsa Macha: Chop the anchos and arbols into small pieces. Set aside.

 

In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the peanuts, garlic, sesame seeds, and oil. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the garlic starts to crisp up and the sesame seeds turn golden brown.

 

Remove the pot from the heat. Add the chopped peppers and stir to combine. Allow the mixture to rest for 10 minutes.

 

Stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and stir in the Mexican oregano.

 

Transfer the mixture to a blender and pulse several times, until well combined but not completely smooth.

 

Drizzle the mixture over the Smashed Cucumber Salad

 

Spritz salad with lime juice and serve immediately.