Tested and Perfected by Food and Wine
Taiwanese Sesame Cucumber
© Con Poulos

Taiwanese Sesame Cucumbers

Contributed by
  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 25 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 12
  • •FAST
  • •HEALTHY
  • •MAKE-AHEAD
  • •VEGETARIAN

This quick pickle was inspired by Japanese cucumbers dressed in sesame oil, salt and sesame seeds. Joanne Chang and her mother created the recipe together, and it's now a customer favorite at Myers + Chang.

  1. 3 seedless cucumbers, chilled in the freezer for 10 minutes
  2. 1/2 cup toasted sesame oil
  3. 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  4. Kosher salt
  5. 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  6. 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  7. 4 scallions, coarsely chopped
  1. Cut the cucumbers lengthwise into eighths, then cut them crosswise into 2-inch-long sticks. In a large bowl, combine the sesame oil, vinegar and a large pinch of salt. Add the cucumbers and toss well. Let stand for 10 minutes, tossing a few times.
  2. In a mini food processor, combine the sesame seeds, crushed red pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Process until the sesame seeds are coarsely chopped. Add half of the mixture to the cucumbers and toss well. Arrange the cucumbers on a platter. Sprinkle with the remaining sesame seed mixture and the scallions and serve.