Chilled cucumber spears with citrus mint salt is a simple and super refreshing cucumber snack idea that requires minimal effort.
With temperatures still on the sizzling side, I’ve been making sure to keep well hydrated. You’ll usually find me toting around a bottle of water or sipping on iced tea but I’ve also been munching on some icy snacks to keep cool.
So what I have for you today is not so much a recipe as it is a simple snack idea, that’s super refreshing with pretty minimal effort involved: chilled cucumber spears.
Inspired by both Japanese and Mexican street food, I’ve been making these chilled cucumber spears sprinkled with flavored salt and serving them icy cold. Crisp, cool and crunchy, cucumbers (like watermelon) are mostly water, so they’re a natural when it comes to hydration.
Served as just a snack or as part of a meal, they’re an unexpected way to keep hydrated when it’s hot out.
How to make salted cucumber spears:
You start by making the flavored salt by grinding citrus zest and/or fresh herbs into sea salt. That then gets sprinkled over cut cucumber spears and left to sit. The spears will give off some water and absorb the flavors of the salt mixture, then into the freezer they go for a quick chill to give them an extra cooling crunch.
The salt is the key to transforming the cucumbers from simple crudité to what I like to think of as edible spa water. It’s crucial for replacing lost electrolytes and also balances and enhances the flavor of the cucumbers. I like to use a good fleur de sel sea salt with a nice flake and gentle flavor which also contains other essential minerals you won’t find in regular table salt.
Borrowing from the Japanese, I’ll also skewer them occasionally and serve them on a stick like a popsicle. It’s a fun and unusual appetizer for casual dinner parties or a great afternoon snack on a hot day. Regardless of how you cut them, each bite is crunchy, salty and utterly refreshing.
More cucumber recipes:
Chopped Zucchini and Cucumber Salad over Salted Yogurt
Cucumber Spears with Citrus Mint Salt
Chilled cucumber spears with citrus mint salt is a simple and super refreshing cucumber snack idea that requires minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons fleur de sel
- The zest of half a lemon
- The zest of half a lime
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves
- 6 small Persian cucumbers
Instructions
- Combine the salt, lemon and lime zest and mint leaves in a mortar or a food processor. Grind the ingredients with a pestle or pulse until very coarsely crushed. (Can be made the night before.)
- Cut cucumbers in half or quarters. Toss with flavored salt in a large bowl then place in a colander set over the bowl and drain 15-20 minutes. Shake excess liquid from cucumbers. Skewer cucumber halves if desired.
- Place in freezer on lined baking sheet to chill for at least 15-20 minutes until well chilled. Serve immediately.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 32Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 1g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Platt College says
This would be great as an appetizer. Have to try it!
Megan says
YUM! Also, your photography is stunning!
allie says
Oooooo...an edible spa water. I love that. Things are sizzling around here too, Sylvie, and this is the perfect addictive snack. My small garden has produced a few cucumbers, in fact they're Japanese cucumbers. Gotta grab some skewers!
Jennifer Weinberg says
This is such a sophisticated recipe and sounds delicious!
Krystal says
Oh my goodness this is just genius! Going to try for sure.
Marye says
What a great snack! I definitely need to try this!!
Catherine says
Dear Sylvie, Cucumbers are my favorite snack and I just love this infused salt. It's refreshing and perfect for summer. Pinning for later. xo, Catherine
Taste of France says
This is such a great idea. I love cucumbers. And sel de Camargue!