Nitrate & Nitrite Free Ginger Cucumber Spears
Fresh cucumbers get a serious upgrade here, dressed in a bright, zippy marinade of grated ginger, lemon juice, olive oil, and a whisper of turmeric. The result is crisp, cooling, and just a little bold — the kind of snack or side dish that disappears fast at any table. Because every single ingredient is whole and unprocessed, there's zero guesswork about hidden additives or preservatives that often sneak into packaged snacks and store-bought pickled vegetables. The 15-minute rest in the dressing is where the magic happens, letting the ginger aroma bloom and the spears soak up all that citrusy warmth without losing their satisfying crunch. A pinch of cayenne and a handful of fresh cilantro or parsley at the end add color and a gentle kick if you're feeling it. This one comes together in minutes, needs no cooking, and works beautifully as an appetizer, a light side, or an afternoon snack you can feel genuinely good about.
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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)
- 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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