SouthernTurk
Unusual recipes for curious cooks.
https://www.southernturk.versust.com/recipe/smashed-cucumber-salad-with-preserved-lemon
Printed September 2, 2026
Printed September 2, 2026
5-Ingredient Magic
Smashed Cucumber Salad with Preserved Lemon
A bright, tangy quick pickle that takes five minutes and delivers the refreshing crunch your table needs.
Ingredients
- 4 Persian cucumbers
- 2 tablespoons preserved lemon, finely chopped (peel only)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes
- Flaky salt
Preparation
Smashing cucumbers creates craggy surfaces that catch dressing beautifully. The preserved lemon brings both salt and citrus in one ingredient, making this impossibly simple salad taste complex and layered.
Preparation
- Place cucumbers on a cutting board and use the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin to smash them until they split and crack open.
- Tear or roughly chop the smashed cucumbers into bite-sized irregular pieces.
- Toss cucumber pieces with preserved lemon, olive oil, and Aleppo pepper in a serving bowl.
- Let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Finish with a generous pinch of flaky salt just before serving.
