Peanutty Marinated Cucumbers With Curled Scallion Salad

Marinated cucumbers are one of the most enticing snacks to serve during the heat of summer and this nutty version is a worthy addition to your salad rotation. To help the cucumbers absorb the peanut dressing, they get lightly smashed before being cut into pieces, not unlike the technique used to make Chinese smashed cucumber salad (pai huang gua). The dressing, a simple yet punchy combination of peanut butter, lime juice, and a touch of heat from sriracha, is the ideal match that enlivens and balances out the coolness of the cucumbers. 

The curled scallion salad that crowns the cucumbers is the real star of the show and what makes this recipe truly exciting. By soaking matchstick pieces of scallions in ice water, they transform into tight, curly coils, a clever technique borrowed from Korean pa muchim. The water washes away their bold oniony bite, allowing you to utilize them like salad greens without the risk of overpowering the dish (or your palate). They get tossed with cilantro, chopped peanuts, and thin slices of Fresno chiles (that are also soaked in ice water to soften their heat) to create a refreshing and texturally enticing match to the cucumbers. Serve this dish as a side to your favorite proteins or as a quick summer salad course.