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Try this delicious idea!
It is the beginning of cucumber season here in Upstate NY. I went looking through my old posts for a really great cucumber recipe to bring up here to the top of things and this one seemed like a great choice. I hope you enjoy it all over again!
We wait all year for the garden to begin filling with cucumbers. When it finally does, I am ready with a ton of fresh ideas for how to enjoy them. I’ve been dreaming about this salad since about February!
I suppose I could have bought some cucumbers at the store, and if that is what you have to do [maybe you aren’t finding this recipe until next February!], I would not be the one to discourage you – definitely go for it!
Don’t have a summer garden of your own? Go to the Farmer’s Market, or stop at a roadside veggie stand, and get some that have only been picked for a few hours when you slice them into this heavenly combination. You will see why I anticipate fresh ones so much!
I do have plenty of great ways to use them up, like Refrigerator Garlic Dill Pickles, and Jalapeno Lime Cucumber Salad – two of everyone’s favorite recipes around here.
I never get tired of coming up with new recipes for them though, and this has been our favorite so far this year. There is something magical about the contrasts in this salad. The crunch of cucumber against the creaminess of the avocado. The salty bite of the feta with the herbaceous acid of the vinaigrette. I am not ashamed to admit that we downed the entire bowl for lunch – more than once! [Recipe development can be so arduous sometimes]
The recipe
Cucumber and Avocado Salad with Feta
Ingredients
- 3 medium cucumbers
- 1 medium avocado
- 2 red scallions [or regular scallions]
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- a few grinds fresh black pepper
- 1 - garlic cloves micro-planed, or minced
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1/3 cup good olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 ounce crumbled feta cheese
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim the ends from the cucumbers, and cut into slices - 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.
- Cut the avocado into 1/2 inch chunks.
- Slice the scallions thinly.
- Combine the vegetables in a bowl large enough to hold them all - stirring very gently.
- In a small bowl with deep sides, whisk together the vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic and honey, until the salt dissolves and the honey is incorporated.
- Whisk in the oil in a thin stream, until the vinaigrette is combined and emulsified.
- Stir in the thyme leaves.
- Dress the salad with 4 or 5 tablespoons of the vinaigrette, stirring gently to combine.
- Taste, and add more dressing, along with salt and pepper as needed.
- Arrange in a serving bowl, and scatter the crumbled feta over the top.
- Chill to blend flavors and serve cold. Store any leftovers, and any leftover vinaigrette in the fridge.
This is so good alongside a burger or some grilled chicken, but the richness of the avocado also makes it pretty satisfying as a stand-alone meal.
Some of my favorite equipment for this recipe: Microplane/Zester ~ Whisk ~ Stainless Steel Bowls
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I love this salad! It is the perfect combo-a little sweet and salty, crunchy and good. Perfect for summer eating. Thanks, Donalyn!
Thanks Abbe – I have to agree – in fact we are having it again tonight!
I love BOTH cukes and avocados, so I’d be all over this salad! I need to get to the farmers’ market this weekend!
You will love it Liz – it really is a wonderful combo 🙂
You are on a roll with the refreshing recipes this week — all I need is this salad and one of your fudgesicles and I’d be a happy camper!
They would be a great combination, Sue 🙂
This salad is about as fresh and beautiful as it can be!
Thanks Jocelyn – so glad that you like it.
I love the small pickling cucumbers you get at this time of the year. I don’t know why but I’ve never thought to put cucumber and avocados together…your salad sounds terrific.
We are still a few days away from getting the pickle cukes Karen – I do love those too!
Lol. Now I’ll have this song in my head today. 😉 I love simple salads like this one. I’m in love with all of these ingredients and it looks super delicious!
LOL Tina – that is a funny thought 😀 Thanks for stopping by!
The cucumbers at the farmers’ market have been sooooo good this year! I always love a good avocado too. I would devour this salad in no time!
Our cukes seem better than usual too Laura – they do like damp weather and we have had some good rain until this week. Thanks for stopping by!
I love the honey thyme addition, a perfect summer salad .
Thanks Gerlinde – it seems that every sort of herb tastes good with cucumbers!
Love this! Looks so fresh and flavorful!
Thanks Kristi!
This salad has my favorite foods. How come I didn’t combine them this way before! I will definitely make it tonight as a side. And I will probably add a little pomegranate molasses too. YUM!
Pomegranate molasses would be very interesting in here Zerrin – great idea!