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Cucumber-Apple Summer SaladThis little summer salad is crisp, cold and just perfect for a hot summer day.  Excellent with pork, but really, it works with almost anything.  We had it with Shrimp in Scotch-Cream Sauce with Cilantro and Garlic.  It was delicious.  The original idea for this came from a little pamphlet put out by Publix Supermarkets here in South Florida.  I picked up the pamphlet for the “Marinated Pork and Potatoes” recipe, and there it was, right at the bottom of the page.  I don’t think I would have put apple and cucumber together, but really, why not?  The texture is fantastic.  The flavor is fresh, crisp, sweet-tart and just lovely.  It goes together too quickly for words.  It’s just simple and delicious.

Cucumber-Apple Summer SaladI put all the ingredients in the bowl, except the arugula.  Cucumber-Apple Summer SaladToss, then dress with some of the vinaigrette.  I place the arugula on the plate, then top with the salad, just before serving.  Cucumber-Apple Summer SaladThe arugula can get wilty (I don’t think that’s a word, but….), so I prefer not to add it to the salad, but rather place the salad on top of a bed of arugula.

Cucumber-Apple Summer Salad

  • Servings: 3-4
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

  • 1 medium-sized English cucumber or 3 Persian cucumbers, quartered and diced
  • 1 medium-sized Fuji apple, diced
  • 3 scallions, including some of the green, sliced
  • 2-3 tablespoons crumbled cooked bacon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
  • 2 tablespoons dried mandarin oranges, coarsely chopped (see NOTE)
  • 1-2 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted pecans
  • 2-3 tablespoons prepared poppy-seed or lemon vinaigrette
  • 2-3 handfuls arugula
  • 3-4 fresh mint leaves, cut into chiffonade (optional)
  • Sumac, for garnish, if desired
  • Vinaigrette (see NOTE)

In a salad bowl, combine all the ingredients, except the arugula.  Add the vinaigrette and toss.  Divide the arugula evenly among four plates and top with a portion of the salad.  Sprinkle with sumac, if desired.

NOTE:  You may find the dried mandarin oranges at a Trader Joe’s®.  We like this with a slightly sweet, vinaigrette-type dressing, like a poppy-seed dressing.  Marie’s® White Balsamic-Shallot Vinaigrette is darned good, too.

Cucumber-Apple Summer Salad Recipe©Marcia Lahens 2016.  All rights reserved.

I have taken to adding diced or crumbled cheese; bleu cheese is nice.  But it really is quite delicious just as it is.  Don’t you just love when simple and delicious work in the same recipe?