How to Make Cucumber Tomato Salad

Cucumber tomato salad with dill and vinegar is a cool and crisp side dish in summer. This garden fresh recipe is easy to prepare ahead and will bring rave reviews at your family table or pot luck gathering. Read on to learn the secrets to making delicious pickled cucumber tomato dill salad.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 cucumbers
• 2 - 3 cups fresh tomatoes
• 3-4 spring onions
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 TBLS salt
• 2 TBLS sugar
• 1 TBLS dill
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• bowl
• chopping board and knife

1. 
    
   cucumbers

   Wash and pare the skin off of two fresh cucumbers. Cut off the ends and discard.

2. 
    
   de-seeding the cucumbers

   Quarter the cucumbers lengthwise. Slice off the excess seeds and discard.

3. 
    
   cucumbers

   Dice the cucumbers into bite size pieces.

4. 
    
   cucumbers

   Layer the diced cucumber in a bowl. Generously sprinkle each layer with salt. Featured recipe with two cucumbers had about four salted layers in the bowl.

5. 
    
   cucumber salad

   Place a plate on top of the cucumbers.

6. 
    
   cucumber salad

   Weigh down the plate with a can of soup, canister, or any such object. This step will create cucumber brine while removing excess moisture from the cucumbers and results in a crisper finished cucumber salad. Leave at room temperature for 2 or more hours. The featured example had 1/3 cup of liquid after 3 hours. Drain and discard the liquid when ready to assemble the next step.

7. 
    
   spring onion

   Dice 3 or 4 spring onions. If you prefer, red or Vandalia onion can be used. Add in over the drained cucumbers.

8. 
    
   tomatoes

   Rinse and drain your tomatoes. A couple large tomatoes, or several roma, cherry, or grape tomatoes can be used; mix and match as available. You will want about equal amounts of cucumber and tomato.

9. 
    
   de-seeding tomatoes

   Dice the tomatoes. De-seed as needed for your variety. The featured homegrown grape tomato was de-seeded by gently pressing on the tomato while slicing. Scrape off the excess seeds and add the flesh to the dish. This will reduce excess moisture and make the finished salad crisper.

10. Measure ¾ to 1-cup vinegar. Use apple cider, white, wine, or balsamic to your taste. Combine with 1 TBLE salt, 2 TBLS sugar, 1 TBLS dill, and ½ tsp pepper. Pour over the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onion; mix well.

11. Chill the cucumber dill salad for a minimum of 3 –4 hours. Stir occasionally. Serve with a slotted spoon or drain excess liquid from the bowl if desired. This type of salad improves in flavor the longer it marinades in the seasoned brine. Enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with ingredients to your taste. Add bell peppers, pickled ginger, olives, or cheeses if desired.
• Store in the fridge. This salad will keep for days as it is pickled.
• Cucumber tomato salad is great for a summer pot luck as it can be left out a room temperature for several hours.
• Featured recipe is gluten and dairy free.

Resources

• How to stop blossom end rot in potted tomatoes
• How to grow tomatoes in a self watering pot
• How to make roasted tomatoes in the oven
• How to make dairy free tomato soup

[mvalora]

on 10/2/2009 Good recipe for cucumber tomato salad! Thanks!

[jenbeth]

on 9/22/2009 Sounds great, great photos!

[bossypants]

on 9/20/2009 What a timely recipe! We have plenty of both tomatoes and cucumbers. This sounds tasty. Into my favorites with it! Thanks!

[survivoryea]

on 9/14/2009 Very good and detailed instructions!! Sounds absolutely delicious! Thanks 5*****

[wannawrkfrmhome]

on 9/11/2009 I love tomatoe cucumber salad, especially with dill!! I had never heard of that trick to get rid of the excess moisture in the cucumbers! I like that idea! 5*