Nightshade Free Ginger Cucumber Spears
Cool, crisp, and alive with bright flavor, these cucumber spears are a refreshing snack or side that comes together with almost no effort. The dressing is built around freshly grated ginger and lemon juice, which give the cucumbers a zingy, aromatic lift that feels anything but plain. A touch of turmeric adds a warm, earthy undertone and a gorgeous golden hue without relying on any of the nightshade-family ingredients — no tomatoes, no peppers, no paprika — that can make so many snack and salad recipes off-limits. The optional pinch of cayenne is the one ingredient to skip if you're being strict, and the dish is completely satisfying without it. After a short 15-minute rest, the spears soak up the ginger-lemon marinade beautifully, making every bite fragrant and well-seasoned. Finish with a scatter of fresh cilantro or parsley and you have something that looks as good as it tastes. It's the kind of simple, produce-forward recipe that proves eating around a restriction doesn't mean eating boring food.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 large english cucumbers
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Can be omittedcayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Trim the ends from the cucumbers and cut each in half crosswise, then cut each half into 6–8 spears by halving lengthwise and cutting each half into thirds or quarters, depending on the cucumber's diameter.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the grated ginger, lemon juice, olive oil, sea salt, and turmeric until combined.
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