Simply Cool Cucumbers

Cucumbers have had a lot of bad press lately with the food poisoning cases in Germany. It now seems that the cucumbers were not to blame. The incident has had a terrible effect on cucumber sales resulting in tons of produce being dumped and many producers being left out of pocket. Such a shame in the current economic and social situation where some countries in the EU are struggling financially and people in other parts of the world are starving.

I did not stop eating cucumbers, since the purported contaminated cucumbers came from Spain and most of the shops round here seem to stock cucumbers from the UK and Holland. 

Yesterday it was very hot and humid so cucumber makes a lovely refreshing side dish. Usually, of course, I don't cut the skin off the cucumbers because they contain so much goodness, but I wanted to serve it in the traditional British way. My kids especially love cucumber served like this and they eat the discarded skins while I'm making it.

Sliced Cucumbers in Vinegar
Serves 4

1 x chilled cucumber, peeled and finely sliced
4 tablespoons of vinegar (you can use malted, cider or white wine, whatever you prefer! I've used half malt and half cider)
Pinch of salt

Simply sprinkle the cucumber slices with the salt and then toss in the vinegar. Serve immediately.
Some people like to pat the cucumber slices dry before applying the vinegar but frankly I have better things to do with my life :-)