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Shlada khiar (grated cucumber salad with oregano)

Shlada khiar: grated cucumber in sweet-sharp vinegar with dried oregano

In the heat of a Fes or Marrakech summer, this ice-cold grated cucumber salad is served in bowls with spoons, half salad, half drink, alongside rich tagines or a plate of fried fish. Cucumber is grated and loosened with water, vinegar and a little sugar, then perfumed with crushed dried oregano or zaatar. Grating ahead and leaving it to sit in salt is the usual slip; the cucumber goes limp and bitter. Chef's tip: rub the oregano between your palms over the bowl to wake its oils.
Total time
10 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

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What you'll need

Fresh ingredients (1)

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Method

0/3 done
  1. Step 1: Grate 2 cucumbers on the coarse side of a box grater into a bowl.

    5 min
  2. Step 2: Stir 1 tbsp sugar and ¼ tsp salt into 2 tbsp white vinegar until dissolved, then add ¾ cup ice-cold water.

    2 min
  3. Step 3: Pour over the cucumber, crush 1 tsp dried oregano or zaatar over it between your palms and stir. Chill for 15 minutes and serve cold in small bowls with spoons.

    2 min

Nutrition per serving

Calories
35 kcal
Protein
1 g
Carbs
7 g
Fat
0 g
Fibre
1 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does shlada khiar (grated cucumber salad with oregano) take?
About 10 minutes in total.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of cucumbers?
Courgette, same weight (in salads, use young ones).
What can I use instead of white vinegar?
Cider vinegar or rice vinegar, same amount.

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