Bowl of Cucumber, Pear, & Mint Salad
(click to enlarge)

Cucumber, Pear & Mint Salad


Africa: Tanzania
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 1-3/4 #
**
30 min
Yes		 An outstanding salad, sure to be a hit, and it will not wilt on the buffet. Tasty and refreshing, it is a modern Tanzanian salad, see Comments.

14
7
3
3
2
-------
1
1
1-1/2
1/3
-------
oz
oz

oz
T
---
T
T
T
t
---

Cucumbers (1)  
Pear (2)
Scallions
Onion, white
Mint, fresh
-- Dressing
Vinegar, wht wine
Lime Juice
Olive Oil ExtV
Salt
---------------
MAKE   -   (30 min + cooling time)
  1. Cut CUCUMBERS into about 3/4 inch chunks. I cut Persians in quarters lengthwise, then about 3/4 inch crosswise.
  2. Peel PEAR and cut into into 3/4 inch chunks, discarding core.
  3. Slice SCALLIONS thin at the white end increasing to 1/4 inch at the green end.
  4. Chop ONION small.
  5. Chop MINT medium.
  6. Place all Salad items in a large mixing bowl and tumble gently.
  7. Squeeze LIME JUICE (or Lemon Juice). Mix all Dressing items in a small jar.
  8. When ready to serve, shake Dressing vigorously, pour over salad and tumble lightly to coat.
  9. Serve cool or cold.
NOTES:

  1. Cucumbers:

      If possible, use small cucumbers that don't need to be peeled or seeded, such as Persian, Japanese, or European. If you have only the standard waxed green blimps, peel them and seed them, then measure out the given weight.

  2. Pear:

      They should be crisp, but fairly sweet. East African pears are traditionally similar to Asian pears, but Euro/American type Pears are starting to appear in Tanzania. For details see our Pomme Fruits.

  3. Comments:

      This is not a "traditional" Tanzanian salad, but composed in Tanzania by a 4th generation Indian Tanzanian using locally available ingredients, so it meets my standards for "authentic". My version looks different from hers, because I used Persian cucumbers and she used the standard green blimps, peeled and seeded, and she garnished with cucumber ribbons and mint leaves.
  4. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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