Chaat masala spices up cucumber snack
1/2 teaspoon hot red chili powder
Flaked sea salt (like Maldon), to taste
Small handful finely chopped cilantro
1 lime, quartered, to serve
Peel and halve the cucumbers. Scoop out the seeds using a melon baller or a grapefruit spoon. Slice the cucumber into sticks and dry them thoroughly with paper towel.
Meanwhile, place the finely diced onions in a bowl, and cover with cold water. Let sit for about 15 minutes, then drain and pat dry. This helps draw out the raw spiciness of the onions and mellows out their flavor.
Place the cucumber on a serving plate and sprinkle with onions, chaat masala, chili powder and a crumble of flaked salt. Garnish with the chopped cilantro and squeeze with a little lime juice before eating.
Recipe Notes: You can prepare the cucumber and onions ahead of time and chill. Sprinkle with the spices just before serving, and go easy on the salt. Chaat masala already has salt in it.
For a portable snack, mix together the chaat masala, chili powder and salt in a small container. Squeeze lime juice into another container. Skip the onions and cilantro. Dip fresh cucumber sticks into the lime juice, then into the spice mix.
(Michelle Peters-Jones is a writer for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.)
