How to Cut Cucumbers into Strips and Cubes

To prepare a fresh and delicious cucumber salad, it is essential to follow a few simple yet important steps to achieve the perfect texture and authentic taste. We start by peeling and slicing the cucumbers, which are the main ingredient of our recipe.

1/ First, wash the cucumbers well under a stream of cold water to remove any impurities or pesticides. After washing them, cut off the ends of the cucumbers, removing the top and bottom parts which can be tougher and less tasty. Using a vegetable peeler, remove the dark green skin of the cucumbers, being careful not to damage the flesh inside. This is an important step as the skin can add a less pleasant texture to the salad. Once you have peeled the cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise using a sharp kitchen knife.

2/ Once the cucumbers are cut, the next step is to remove the seeds. Using a teaspoon or a melon knife, scoop out the inside of the cucumbers, removing the seeds and the flesh, which is usually more watery. This part of the cucumber is not necessary for the salad and can make the final dish too wet. By removing these seeds, you will achieve a crunchier and tastier salad.

3/ After removing the seeds, cut the cucumber halves into strips. These strips can be used as they are in the salad or can be cut even smaller into cubes. If you prefer cubes, slice the cucumber halves into thick slices, depending on the size of the cubes you want to achieve. Then, cut each slice lengthwise to create evenly sized strips that will be easy to handle.

4/ Once you have strips, align them and start cutting them crosswise at regular intervals to create perfectly sized cucumber cubes. These cubes will add a pleasant texture to the salad and will allow the ingredients to mix evenly. Once you are done, you can add the cucumber cubes to a large bowl, where you will combine them with other ingredients such as tomatoes, red onion, or olives to create a vibrant and flavorful salad. This recipe is perfect for hot summer days, being easy to make and extremely refreshing. Enjoy every bite of your fresh salad!