Whenever I get the winter blues, nothing changes my mood other than making a fresh cucumber tomato salad. Cucumber and tomatoes remind me of summer, and when I saw beautiful tri-colored tomatoes and fresh cucumbers, I immediately thought of cucumber tomato salad.
Sometimes, the best way to beat the winter blues is to bring summer into the kitchen. Then, I can close my eyes and enjoy the fresh taste of summer, even if it's in the middle of winter.
Different types of cucumbers to choose from
Although any cucumbers can be used for cucumber tomato salad, I prefer Persian, English, or Kirby cucumbers because they contain fewer seeds and are less watery.
English Cucumbers are also called hot-house cucumbers and seedless cucumbers. This variety is long and thin with dark green skin.
You will often find this variety wrapped in plastic at supermarkets, but you can find unwrapped ones at farmers' markets. Despite their alias, these cucumbers do not require a hot-house or plastic wrap to grow.
This cucumber has a mild, almost non-existent flavor. It is prized for its thin skin and minimal seeds.
Garden cucumbers are the most common cucumbers in North America. They are relatively smooth-skinned and dark green.
Cucumbers sold at grocery stores tend to be waxed to help them retain moisture. For this reason, you'll want to peel these cucumbers. Un-waxed varieties can be found (particularly at farmers' markets), but you may still want to peel them if the skin is thick or bitter.
Kirby cucumbers are usually short, and they're always bumpy. They have a range of skin colors from yellow to dark green.
Kirbys are wonderfully crunchy for eating raw but flavorful enough to be perfect for pickling too. Sometimes, they're even sold under the name "pickling cucumbers."
Persian cucumbers are very similar to English cucumbers. So similar, in fact, that they are pretty much visually indistinguishable from fresh, not-wrapped-in-plastic English cukes. However, a big difference is that Persians come in a greater range of lengths—some shorter, some longer, and sometimes with slightly bumpy skin like a Kirby.
Cucumber Tomato Salad Ingredients
As simple as it is to make, cucumber tomato salad has very few ingredients with a wonderful, fresh flavor.
- Persian cucumbers (or cucumbers of choice)
- Tri-colored Tomatoes
- Red Onion
- Dill
- Parsley
- Mint
- Basil
Another idea to get pretty edges on the cucumbers is to cut with a beveled crinkle cutter.
Putting the cucumber tomato salad together
Once all the vegetables are cut, add everything to a bowl. Then, whisk the simple dressing:
- Red wine vinegar
- Dijon Mustard
- Maple syrup
- Salt and Pepper to taste
After tossing the cucumber salad in the dressing, its best to allow the salad to marinate a few hours in the refrigerator.
Allowing the ingredients to marinate gives the cucumber salad a tangy and delicious finish.
Do you love healthy salads? If so, check out these recipes
- Panera Spicy Thai Salad
- Soba Noodle Salad
- Quinoa Greek Salad with OMG Oil-Free Dressing
- German Potato Salad
- Brussel Sprout and Kale Salad
- Southwest Salad
- Wild Rice Salad
- Curried Chickpea Salad
- Roasted Vegetable Pasta Salad
- Asparagus Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Cucumber tomato salad is fresh like summer. Full of cucumbers, red onions, tri-colored tomatoes, and herbs in an oil-free dressing.
Ingredients
Cucumber Tomato Salad
- 6 Persian cucumbers
- 1-pint tri-colored grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 red onion, cut into slivers
- 2 Tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons dill, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons mint, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons basil, chopped
Dressing
- 3 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine the vegetables and herbs in a bowl.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir again before serving.
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Nutrition Information
Yield
6 servingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 73Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 31mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 2gSugar 15gProtein 2g
Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
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