Sunomono

(Japanese Cucumber Salad)

June 14: National Cucumber Day

As the hot summer season starts soon, stay cool as a cucumber with a light Japanese-style salad called sunomono. Many Asian countries have their own version of a vinegary cucumber side dish, like the Filipino suka pipino we made for National Vinegar Day on November 1. The ingredients have changed slightly by using the products from that particular country. This recipe has a little alcohol (mirin—a sweet rice wine—or sake—Japanese rice wine) added to it for a subtle sweetness in this side dish. Sunomomo tastes great with grilled meats (Japanese teriyaki steak, chicken and/or seafood are sensational for a summer BBQ) and on National Cucumber Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from Food.com)

 Ingredients

• 1 large cucumber
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon mirin or sake
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• pinch of dried mint or dried parsley (optional)

Directions

Wash and peel the cucumber. Cut into thin slices. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix the rice wine vinegar with the mirin or sake.

Stir in the sugar, water, salt and red pepper flakes. Toss in the cucumber. Sprinkle dried mint or parsley. Cover, refrigerate and allow the flavors to set for at least half an hour.

Notes

• Try our teriyaki sauce and baste some steak, chicken, shrimp and salmon when grilling or barbecuing meats.
• Bake teriyaki chicken as an alternative to grilling/barbecuing. Serve with sunomono.