When it comes cucumbers it seems like sliced is the way to go. Peeled maybe, but sliced certainly. I mean what other choice is there? Well, it might surprise you to know that in Beijing, people buy whole chilled cucumbers from street vendors and munch them with a spicy dipping sauce as a sort of salad on the go. But smashing cucumbers is popular too. Known as pai huang gua the smashed cucumber salad is considered the perfect foil for hot weather and is a standard technique in many parts of Asia. The smashing process cracks the skin, making the seeds easy to dispose of and splits the flesh into appealingly craggy pieces.
Once smashed, the cucumbers are roughly torn by hand into bite-sized pieces then sprinkled with salt and briefly set aside. The salting process softens the skin, firms the flesh, and brightens the peel. It’s important to choose fresh, firm-fleshed cucumbers. Persian or English hothouse cucumbers are ideal thanks to their thin skin and less seedy nature.
Smashed Cucumber Salad
Garlic, chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and sesame oil. Bold flavors are typical of this salad. The simplest versions are smashed and tossed with nothing more than chili oil, but you’ll also find more elaborate combinations like this version I adapted from Melissa Clark.
The smashing of the cucumbers is fun too. Simply lay them on a chopping board and smack them a few times with the flat blade of a cleaver, the bottom of a small skillet or (my personal choice) a rolling pin. At first, you’ll feel a little silly abusing your produce this way, but I promise this smashed cucumber salad technique will grow on you. So much so that I feel I need to remind you not to become so enthusiastic that you smash your cucumbers into smithereens. GREG
Smashed Cucumber Salad
Print This Recipe Yield 4–6Source Adapted from Dinner by Melissa ClarkPublishedThe smashing process can be a bit messy. I contained the splash by laying my cutting board in the sink.
Ingredients
- 2 pound Persian or English hothouse cucmbers
- 2 pinch kosher salt (plus more for seasoning if needed)
- 3 clove garlic (peeled and minced)
- 2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (optional)
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon brown sugar
- 1–2 fresh red chilies (thinly sliced and seeded)
Directions
Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. If you’re working with Persian cucumbers leave them whole. English hothouse cucumbers should be cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long and halved lengthwise.
Arrange several cucumbers on a cutting board. Using a rolling pin, cleaver, or the bottom of a small skillet pound the cucumbers until their skins begin to crack, the flesh breaks into craggy pieces, and the seeds separate. Break into bite-sized chunks. Repeat with remaining cucumbers.
Leaving the seeds behind place the smashed cucumber chunks in a strainer set over a bowl and toss with a couple big pinches of salt. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine garlic, ginger, Sichuan peppercorns (if using), rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, and chili slices. Mix well then toss with the smashed cucumbers. Chill the salad at least 20 minutes and up to 4 hours. Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving.
How violent! Just what we need in these frustrating times. Thanks for the recipe. Cucumbers are so wonderful, and it’s always nice to find a new way to serve them.
This is a perfect summer salad recipe! Can’t wait to give it a try!
I really love this! Both the flavors and the smashing is brilliant. I bet once smashed, the cucumbers easily soak up all of those delicious ingredients. Fun!
What a smashing idea! Gotta try it. 🙂 Thanks!
I never had smashed cucumbers before but I like the idea and your dressing.
I will tell you we had smashed cucumbers with almost every dinner we ate in China and we were there for three weeks. I now make them quite often at home and never get tired of them!
That is amazing, it makes me think of the Italian bread salad which is also roughly torn. I’ll have to give this a try soon, thanks Greg.
Fascinating! I could just drink the vinaigrette.
I missed this wonderful dish on our recent trip to Shanghai — but love the idea and the list of wonderful ingredients. How interesting — smashing cucumbers 🙂
Cool cucumber salads are where we are at these days! Smashing them seems a tad violent, but we’ll give it a try.
Hi Greg! Funny you should post this..,just reading a salad recipe where you ‘smash’ the cucumbers and also use make a dressing. Makes sense with cucumbers…Best~Bijouxs
The combination of cool cucumbers and spicy heat is oddly refreshing when it’s sweltering. Smashing!