Savory Summer Side Dishes: Part 2

Salsaful Cucumber

Day two of our four-part series on summer side dishes is a light, healthy, easy and fun way to plate a spicy, fire-roasted salsa.  This is great with carne asada or any other Southwest entree.  Cucumbers are so big and juicy right now and the produce stores are selling them for practically pennies!

Salsaful Cucumber

Prep Time: 10 minutes / Cook Time: 10 minutes / Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 large cucumber, peeled and quartered
• 2 large Roma Tomatoes, chopped
• 1 orange bell pepper, cut in half lengthwise and seed membrane removed
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 medium jalapeno, chopped, membrane and seeds removed
• 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
• juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 tbsp. cumin powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. pepper

Steps:

1. Heat a gas grill or gas stove on high heat.  Place orange bell pepper directly on flame for about 5 minutes per side, until charred and soft.  Remove from heat, allow to cool for 5 minutes, chop and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. Add tomatoes, scallions, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, cumin powder, salt and pepper.  Stir until all ingredients are combined.
3. Using a spoon or melonballer, remove the seeds from the four quarters of the cucumber, creating a hollow tube in the center of the cucumber.
4. Stuff the salsa into the hollow center tube of the cucumber.  Plate and serve.