Wednesday, July 29, 2020

My Daughters Vegan Pantry-My Neighbors Garden Mash Up

     I love neighbors that have the ability to grow wonderfully productive gardens. They are nice to look at , and every so often, they have such an abundance, they share! Monday when I was taking advantage of my laptop battery actually holding  a full charge and working from my porch, my neighbor came over with a large sack of cucumbers. "Take all you want-the're still coming." I selected three-two large and a couple small. I mentioned my favorite salad and that I'd make that and share some of the cucumbers with my daughter so she had me take a couple more. I made two mediumish ones into the salad, my daughter took one large, and I have these two left. 




     I've posted about this salad before and how I make a complete pig of myself devouring it. I really like it that much. There are two ways to make, one completely vegan, and the other vegan if using vegan mayo, or vegetarian if not. I'm not sure if Miracle Whip type salad dressing  is vegan or not-I won't buy it! Here is my sort or recipe-stop on the dressing before the mayo part if you want, but perhaps up ingredients by 50% so there is enough for the vegetables to marinate.

2 TBSP Apple cider vinegar
2 TBSP sugar
2 tsp ground pepper
1/3 cup Mayonnaise

     Let the sugar dissolve in the vinegar, add pepper and mayonnaise. This makes enough dressing for  two sliced cucumbers, 1 cut up tomate, and 1/2 onion (or more i you really lie onions), either  in chunky chopped pieces, or in ringlet, whichever you prefer. Add the vegetables to the dressing, stir completely, and refrigerate for several hours before eating. The dressing becomes very thin/watery, almost like pickle juice. I've been known to jut add more cucumbers and  to the juice left behind. 





     I saw a tabbouleh recipe on Facebook that one of those cucumbers might be destined for. I have cous cous and rice for grains, but I think Israeli cous cous would be delicious. I'll look for some on my next shop but it can be elusive around here. My friend said she made hers with bulgur grain. My lunch today is going to be my favorite sandwich, along with the rest of the salad: hummus, cheese, tomato, and cucumber on multi grain bread! Vegan again if I left the cheese off. 

     I am crossing my fingers that she continues to have a bounty and some makes its way to me, cucumbers or other vegetables. I will remember her gifts when I make jelly and start my pumpkin bread baking. This neighbor has been here for nearly three years, and I've just got to know her this spring and summer on my out and about walks.She lives in the house that  has had semi regular turnover every five-seven years since we've been here. One of the rays of sunshine with the pandemic keeping me home and in my neighborhood. 

19 comments:

  1. That sounds really tasty! My cucumbers are currently an inch long, maybe I'll be eating them by September! xxx

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    1. We have had a hot and humid summer-gardens love that I guess as so many people that know what thye are doing are ahead by a couple weeks. I'm not normally getting corn or most fresh stuff until August.

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  2. I love it when neighbors share their bounty. Your cucumber salad looks good and refreshing, Sam.

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    1. She really is a swett woman. She came bearing apple crisp as well as she was bored and her family doens't eat it.

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  3. Sounds delicious. We've never had much joy growing cucumbers so always enjoy any that come my way. Arilx

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    1. these are the same variety my daughter go last year fomr a coworker with a CSA, that hates cucumbers. I find I need ot peel them as the skin is bitter, but the cucumber itslef is so good.

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  4. Yum! My cucumbers are not producing well and I hate it because I love them.

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    1. Call them zucchini and maybe they will decide to grow! I don't cann pickles, but Iwill reserach how long a refrigerator version might last.

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  5. I make a similar salad using sour cream, white wine vinegar, sugar and dried dill and a bit of salt. Also,lots of sliced vidalia onions. Can't tell you amounts, as I just mix and add and taste until I'm happy. Being a Minnesotan, most of my family prefer the cukes and onions in vinegar and a bit of water and salt and pepper. Ate them that way my entire childhood but once I got turned on to the sour cream dressing, I've not looked back. Making some for tomorrows supper with pork chops and fried potatoes. Yum! Ranee (MN)

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    1. I tired to pay attention when I was making this as I usually just pour and not measure, but sine I wnated to put in a blog I figured people might like ratios. I must have had the sour cream version at some pointin my life as well. I love sour cremas so cna't imagine I would like that version.I love having a Minnesotan read and comment. You give me valaidity! We do try and pack the best of life in the months we can don't we, vegetables being the summer thing.

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  6. My one and only cucumber is growing in a circle so maybe I'll make a donut out of it! That being said, I made a lovely cuc salad out of Christina Ferrante's book - I can't remember the recipe but it was lovely. My kids liked it with mayo but you have to have really good quality cucumbers for that. Sadly not this year in my garden.

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    1. Picture please! In Minnesota, we have contests for that sort of thing. If there wa a State Fair this year, it oculd be an grnad entry.

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  7. Miracle Whip has egg yolks. All cucumbers here are consumed by Tommy. I might make this for him.

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    1. I'm sorry you do't like them-or do they not like you? I know many people have issues withcucumbers and watermelon.

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    2. SAm,
      I cannot stand them. But, i do like watermelon. Now, i am supposed to leave off most fiber and all seeds. So, there you go.

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  8. There’s no comparing store bought cucumbers to beautiful homegrown ones! My dad’s favorite summer snack is thin sliced cucumbers, tomatoes and onions in a brine of vinegar water. I remember always having a glass Pyrex bowl of it in the fridge. I hate tomatoes so I’ve never tried it. JoAnn

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    1. Try, but just don't eat the tomatoes-the juice is so good on the cucumbers. I like them as you describe, but the creaminess with the mayo take it up a notch for me.

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  9. That sounds delicious, how lovely to have someone share their harvest with you. I'm going to see my parents next week and I have a feeling I may be bringing some courgettes home with me, my dad never learns and always grows too many - it's a bit of a family joke!

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    1. It seems like with courgettes or zucchini as we say here, you either get an over abundnace or none. I'm envious.

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