Cucumbers are a popular ingredient for finger foods.
Cucumbers are a cool and refreshing vegetable, and since they don't need to be cooked, they are perfect for making easy, delicious finger foods. While there are many different types of cucumbers, the English or "hothouse" cucumber is the best variety for these recipes, as it has a more uniform round size and color than other varieties so it looks better on a platter. It also has an unwaxed skin that doesn't need to be peeled, and small seeds.
Cucumber Finger Sandwiches
Cucumber finger sandwiches are a classic dish often served at a traditional English tea. They are served on soft, crustless bread spread with butter, then layered with filling, either slices of cucumber or a mixture of cucumber and other flavorful items. Some recipes call for mint or watercress; others mix chopped cucumber with mayonnaise and herbs to make a cucumber salad spread; still others call for mixing sliced cucumbers with oil, vinegar, and herbs before layering on the sandwich.
Cucumber Cups
To make a cucumber cup, slice the cucumber in increments of 1 to 2 inches. With a spoon, hollow a bowl shape out of the center of each slice, then add your choice of filling, such as smoked salmon mousse, herbed cream cheese, egg salad, or crab salad. The crisp, fresh taste of cucumber matches well with seafood, so any kind of smoked or fresh seafood mixture would be perfect in a cucumber cup.
Cucumbers with Dip
For a very simple plate of finger food, simply cut cucumbers into spears or stalks and serve with your choice of dip. Since cucumbers have such a light flavor on their own, they can be used as a vessel for other strong flavors or matched with tastes that are just as light. Try creamy dressings such as ranch and blue cheese, hummus, whipped feta cheese with herbs, or to go all-out cucumber, try tzatziki, a Greek dip made with cucumbers.
Cucumber Rolls
A popular sushi item, cucumber rolls are simply cucumber wrapped in sticky rice and seaweed. If you don't have seaweed, you can slice a long, thin strip of cucumber and use that as a roll instead, although it takes a very sharp knife and a steady hand. Any filling you like can be added to the cucumber in the center of the roll, such as avocado, smoked salmon, shrimp, or crab meat.
Fried Cucumbers
A Southern delicacy along the lines of fried green tomatoes, cucumbers are dredged in milk, egg, and flour, breaded or battered, and deep- or pan-fried until golden. For this recipe, smaller Kirby cucumbers are the preferred variety. Fried cucumbers can be in the shape of chips or spears, or even whole. They are usually served with ranch dressing, but any dipping sauce will do.
Tags: finger foods, make cucumber, smoked salmon, your choice
