For those on a weight loss diet, eating cucumbers is a must for many reasons. Weight loss diets are usually calorie-restrictive diets which include foods with very low calories and yet high nutritional value—and cucumbers are quite the winner there. Loaded with vitamins (including the elusive vitamin K), minerals like potassium and plenty of antioxidants, cucumbers are low-calorie foods that also have dietary fibre and high water content. So, adding a bowl of cucumbers to your daily diet can indeed help your weight loss goals along.
And yet, how much of the same cucumber can you eat every day without getting bored and craving other flavours? The fact is, there are so many varieties of cucumber salads from around the world that you can actually whip some up every day and yet never get bored of eating cucumbers! From a variety of spices and herbs to hyperlocal dressings, each of these salads brings more to the table by adding to the nutritional value of something as simple as a cucumber salad.
Wondering what these cucumber salads from around the world are? Here are seven cucumber salad wonders from around the world that you can try for each day of the week.
Video Credit: YouTube/Chef Kunal Kapur
Mizeria, Poland
One of the most famous salads from Poland, Mizeria is made with thinly sliced cucumbers which are then seasoned with salt and pepper. After seasoning, the cucumbers tossed with sour cream or yoghurt—the latter is more suited for weight loss diets. The salad is topped with fresh dill leaves, which is one of the most important Polish herbs. Many also add lemon juice, onions, parley, mint and sugar to Mizeria to make it more delicious.
Kachumber Salad, India
This fine-chopped Indian salad is made with many veggies, but cucumbers are a must. The cucumbers are finely chopped along with onions, tomatoes, green chillies and herbs like coriander leaves. Then, lemon juice, salt, pepper and sometimes chaat masala is added to make the Kachumber Salad more zingy and flavourful. Paired with all sorts of Indian dishes, Kachumber Salad is a must-have.
Salata De Castraveti, Romania
A traditional Romanian salad made with cucumbers, this one if known for its herby and sour flavours. Fresh cucumbers are thinly sliced and mixed with sliced onions, olive oil, salt, tarragon and cider vinegar. The vinegar and oil coating provides the cucumbers with a glistening and slick quality that is both light and delicious, making it the perfect addition to your weight loss diet.
Burmese Cucumber Salad, Myanmar
What raita signifies for Indians, this Burmese Cucumber Salad signifies the same in Myanmar—no meal is complete without this dish as a side. The cucumbers are thinly sliced along with red shallots and green chillies. Some onions are fried until crispy and tossed along with these and sesame seeds, and a dressing of fruit vinegar and sesame oil is added at the very end.
Sunomono, Japan
Like most Japanese dishes, this traditional cucumber salad is light on the palate and yet packed with flavours. Along with thinly sliced cucumbers, the Sunomono salad is often loaded with seafood like cooked prawns, seaweed or Nori strips, toasted sesame seeds and a very light and mildly sweet dressing made of vinegar and soy sauce. Sunomono is served as a light side dish or appetizer, but you could have it as a full meal too.
Ajad, Thailand
This traditional Thai salad is served on the side of curries as well as a variety of soups as a fresh and zingy element. Made with thinly sliced cucumbers, Ajad is loaded with chopped red chillies, sliced shallots and coriander leaves. The dressing for this salad is made with sugar, rice vinegar, salt and light soy sauce. Sometimes, peanuts are also added to this cucumber salad.
Smashed Cucumber Salad, China
Served at Chinese restaurants as a fresh and light side dish, this salad is very interesting to make. Fresh cucumbers are smashed up instead of being chopped with a knife, then tossed with minced garlic, salt, soy sauce, chilli oil, rice vinegar, sugar and sesame oil. Some sesame seeds are added on top to add to the crunchiness of the dish. Spicy and delicious, this cucumber salad can be a part of your regular weight loss meals.