Spiralized Cold Cucumber Noodle Salad is light and refreshing in any season. Watercress, mint and a homemade toasted sesame-ginger dressing bring fresh flavor and crunch to this healthy recipe.
I was walking through the produce section of Whole Foods when cucumbers caught my eye. I actually stopped and stared for a moment to see if maybe they were some other exotic produce. Cucumbers seem to be a perfect summer type of vegetable; cool, refreshing, hydrating and subtle on flavor. It was like running into an unexpected guest at a party that seems totally out of place.
Jump to:
I bought some. I’ve been loving my Spiralizer and am compelled to find more and more things to make with it. I love a bit of whimsy in life and my food, and the Spiralizer delivers. It keeps me interested and from falling into a food boredom, eating expected winter foods repeatedly, waiting until spring and summer unveil their bounty to spice up my menus.
One of my first recipes after getting my Spiralizer was a Cucumber Melon Spa Salad. Cool cucumber noodles winding messily around honeydew and cantaloupe melon balls at their peak of sweetness. Is there anything you could hope for more on a steamy summer afternoon? This time I had visions of an equally simple, clean salad but with an Asian twist in a light dressing.
Making Cold Cucumber Noodle Salad
The large cucumber effortlessly transformed into what looked like a green variation of Rapunzel’s hair, twisting out of the machine endlessly, falling into heaps of ringlet curls. I tossed them with torn and chopped watercress and fresh mint, sprinkled with sliced almonds for crunch and warmth of flavor.
Slices of ginger soak for a bit in a dressing of toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and freshly squeezed mandarin juice. The dressing is light but adds a toasty flavor to the hydrating, crunchy salad. The salad is healthy and very lean on the calories; definitely something to usher in the healthier habits of the New Year and just as satisfying again in the heat of summer.
More fun Salad Recipes You’ll Love:
- Red Grape Jicama Walnut Salad with Mango-Jalapeno Poppy Seed Dressing
- Chinese Chicken Salad (gluten-free)
- Mexican Cobb Salad
If you’ve tried this Cold Cucumber Noodle Salad or any other recipe on BoulderLocavore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to!
How to make Cold Cucumber Noodle Salad with Watercress, Mint and Toasted Sesame-Ginger Dressing:
Recipe
Cold Cucumber Noodle Salad with Watercress, Mint and Toasted Sesame-Ginger Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 cups Spiralized Cucumber Noodles* (aproximately 1 large cucumber) using 1/8-inch 3mm noodle blade
- 1/2 cup Watercress , chopped or torn into small pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh Mint leaves , chopped finely
- 1/4 cup Sliced Almond
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Ingredients for the Toasted Sesame-Ginger Dressing:
- 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
- 2 teaspoons Rice Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed juice of Mandarin Orange (also known as Clementines or Cuties)
- 2-3 thin slices of fresh Ginger Root (sliced across the knob, 1/8 inch thick)
- Small pinch of Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Place half of the spiralized cucumber noodles on a layer of paper towels to dab any excess moisture. Place a second paper towel on top, the remaining noodles and top with paper towels. Allow to sit while you make the dressing.
- Combine the toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, mandarin orange juice and ginger root in a small bowl. Allow to sit for 20 minutes. Press down on the ginger slices with a dining spoon a few times during the soaking to extract more flavor.
To assemble the salad:
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cucumber noodles, watercress, and mint. toss together. Note: due to the texture of the noodles it may work best to toss with your hands.
- Add the sliced almonds and mix into the noodles.
- Place noodles in desired serving vessels (bowls or plates) for one large main salad or two smaller salads. Remove the ginger slices from the dressing and drizzle some of the dressing evenly over the salad(s). Serve chilled and immediately
SBO says
This looks so yummy!
Thank you for recipe.
Gina says
I’d eat the heck out of this whether it’s January or not! Looks so refreshingly light & healthy and loving that dressing!
Toni Dash says
My sentiments exactly Gina. Though it’s a cold salad the texture and light flavors can’t be beat for me right now! Perfect detox from holiday over-doing too!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
I just got a sprializer as a gift for Christmas. I cannot wait to use it more. This salad looks like perfection!
Toni Dash says
They are so fun Des, I feel sure you’ll love it! I have several other Spiralizer recipes on Boulder Locavore which you can find by using the Search box in the side bar (search Spiralizer). The options are endless and it’s such a fun way to make recipes healthier.
Melissa Falk says
Love it! So refreshing.
Toni Dash says
I agree Melissa and I don’t know about you but it feels so dry and dehyrating in the winter. This dish helps quench the winter thirst.
Colleen Cayes says
Rapunzel’s ringlets … I’ll be cruising thru the cucumber section of my Whole Foods today! Thank you for the recommendations to remove a bit of excess water from the cucumber using paper towels and also for the way to infuse a gentle amount of ginger flavor into the dressing, brilliantly simple.
Toni Dash says
You are so welcome! I found the paper towel trick was perfect to absorb the extra moisture so the cuke noodles stay crips, and fresh without unneeded extra moisture. Hope you like it!
Sommer @ASpicyPerspective says
My mouth is just watering over your pictures! This noodle dish is a must try for me!
Toni Dash says
So glad you like it Sommer! It’s such a fresh and healthy dish. I think you’d like it!
Liz says
Thank you.
Toni Dash says
Thank YOU Liz for reading and commenting! I appreciate you.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
OHMYGOSH! I JUST got a spiralizer last week, and did NOT know that you can spiralizer cucumbers!!!
I am so trying this and I am way too excited about it. These minty-sesame flavahs are totally my jam. Pinned!
Toni Dash says
Cucumbers are fantastic spiralized Taylor! They spiralize in minutes. If you find them too watery follow the paper towel tip in this recipe.