Introduction
This refreshing Chopped Cucumber, Pear, and Fennel Salad is a delightful combination of crisp vegetables and juicy pears. Perfect for summer gatherings or as a light lunch option, this salad offers both health benefits and an invigorating taste that’s sure to impress your palate.
Tips for this recipe
– For the best flavor, use fresh ingredients whenever possible.
– Ensure all produce is washed thoroughly before preparation.
– The fennel bulb should be sliced uniformly to maintain a consistent texture throughout the salad.
Why you will love this recipe
This Chopped Cucumber, Pear, and Fennel Salad is not just about taste; it’s an explosion of textures and colors that appeal to both your eyes and mouth. With a perfect balance between the subtle licorice flavor of fennel, the crunchy cucumbers, and the sweet pears, this dish promises a satisfying and healthful eating experience.
Ingredients
2 pounds cucumbers
1 large fennel bulb cut into 1/2″ squares
Fresh lemon juice
2 pears, peeled, quartered, cored, cut into 1/2″ pieces (about 2 cups)
3/4 cup pomegranate seeds
3/4 cup Granny Smith Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Adviced equipments
– Kitchen Knife Set: Essential for slicing and dicing.
– Cutting Board: Provides a safe surface for preparation tasks.
– Salad Spinner: Useful for washing salad greens; also helpful for delicate herbs or fruits in some recipes.
– Mandoline Slicer: For evenly slicing vegetables like cucumbers and pears.
– Vegetable Peeler: Optional but useful for peeling cucumbers or fennel if desired.
– Fruit Corer & Slicer: Efficient tool for coring and slicing pears evenly, without seeds.
History of the recipe
The Chopped Cucumber, Pear, and Fennel Salad has roots in classic farm-to-table cuisine, embodying the essence of fresh produce from local farms. This combination reflects a modern approach to salads that focuses on simplicity and the use of seasonal ingredients for maximum flavor and nutritional value.
Fun facts about this recipe
– The inclusion of pomegranate seeds not only adds a pop of color but also brings antioxidants to the salad, enhancing its health benefits.
– Fennel bulbs were historically used in various cultures for their medicinal properties and now contribute both flavor and texture to this modern-day dish.
– This recipe is a nod to the versatility of apples (particularly Granny Smith), which adds a tart contrast to the sweetness of pears, making it an excellent pairing for vegetables in salads.