Cucumbers! They’re the unsung heroes of summer—crunchy, cool, and endlessly versatile. I remember stumbling upon this salad recipe during a heatwave, and let me tell you, it was like a breath of fresh air.
You know that feeling when you open a window in a stuffy room? It’s like that, but for your taste buds. The tang of lemon, the creaminess of feta—it’s a symphony of flavors that somehow reminds me of that time I got lost in Santorini (a story for another day).
Steps
- Use a spiralizer with the chipper blade to create spirals from the cucumber. Cut these spirals into shorter strands, about 5-6 inches long, for easier consumption. If a spiralizer is unavailable, dice the cucumber with a knife.
- In a large bowl, combine the spiralized cucumber with the chopped bell pepper, halved grape tomatoes, pitted olives, and sliced red onion.
- Squeeze the juice from half of a lemon over the salad mixture and drizzle with half a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Season with minced fresh oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Transfer the salad mixture onto a plate. Top it with a thick slice of fresh feta and drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top before serving.
Ingredients
- 1/2 seedless English cucumber, approximately 7 ounces
- 1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/3 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 5 kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 tablespoon red onion, sliced
- 1/2 fresh lemon
- 1 ounce fresh feta cheese, cut into thick slices
- 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves, minced
Nutritional Values
Calories: 225 kcal | Carbohydrates: 16 g | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 16 g | Cholesterol: 25 mg | Sodium: 697.5 mg | Fiber: 4 g | Sugar: 1 g
FAQ
- Can I make this salad without a spiralizer?
- Yes, if you don’t have a spiralizer, you can simply dice the cucumbers into small cubes to create a chopped Greek salad instead.
- What type of feta cheese should I use for the best flavor?
- It’s recommended to use a good quality feta cheese. Avoid fat-free versions as they tend to lack flavor.
- How can I prepare this salad for a work lunch in advance?
- You can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time, but keep the lemon juice and olive oil separate. Add the dressing just before eating to keep the salad fresh.
- What’s the best way to layer this salad in a Mason jar?
- Start by adding the dressing at the bottom of the jar, followed by layers of diced cheese, onion, olives, peppers, tomatoes, and finally top with cucumbers. Shake the jar before serving to mix the ingredients.
Tips
- If a spiralizer isn’t available, simply dice the cucumbers to create a traditional chopped Greek salad.
- Opt for a high-quality feta cheese to enhance the flavor, avoiding fat-free varieties which may lack taste.
- When preparing the salad in advance, keep the lemon juice and olive oil separate until you’re ready to eat to maintain freshness.
- For a Mason Jar Salad, layer the ingredients with the dressing at the bottom and cucumbers on top; shake the jar before serving for even distribution.
Equipment
- Spiral Vegetable Slicer – Specifically, the Paderno Spiral Vegetable Slicer mentioned in the recipe, which is used to spiralize the cucumbers.
