Veggetti Cucumber Quinoa & Feta Salad

I can't help myself, I've become obsessed with this Veggetti Spiral Peeler! I've only used it with zucchini so far, which by the way makes amazing zoodles. Today I decided to venture out and use a different vegetable so I tried an english cucumber. It works just as good as the zucchini! I love cucumbers but slicing or dicing them all the time can get pretty boring. Spiraling the cucumber makes for a fun and festive food presentation. I don't think I've ever eaten cucumbers that are cut like spaghetti. So not only was this dish festive looking, it was festive trying to eat it!

This afternoon for lunch I made a Cucumber Quinoa Salad. Every time I took a bite of the salad I was like, oh my gosh this is good! I often make cucumber, red onion and feta salad, especially during the summer months. I had quinoa on hand so I decided to add that to the salad to make it a little more hearty. It also added a subtle crunch which was a nice compliment to the other ingredients. The dressing I used was my homemade staple…red wine vinegar and olive oil. Very simple but very flavorful. I seldom buy jarred salad dressing anymore because of all the extra additives. This is definitely one of those salads that you feel good about eating. I ate it for lunch which was perfect but you could also make this as a side for dinner or as an entree…just serve with grilled salmon. If you haven't bought yourself a Veggetti yet, this salad is still amazing without being spiralized…simply dice, slice or julianne cut the cucumbers. and you'll have an identical tasting dish…it just won't look as pretty as the curly cut cucumber!

A few things to keep in mind though when preparing this dish or when using a cucumber with your Veggetti peeler.

• Only use an english cucumber. You can keep the skin on, and the tiny seeds aren't an issue when peeled. Plus, the size of the english cucumber is perfect.
• When you are done spiraling the cucumber, make sure to let the water strain for 30 minutes. Cucumbers retain a lot of water so letting it strain will allow for a non-watery salad.
• For the best results add the dressing before serving. 

So if you're like me and have only used your Veggetti for zucchini, venture out there and try it with a cucumber. You will love it! Salute to intruding my Veggitti to the cucumber!

Click below to view my other Veggetti recipes:

• Garlic and Olive Oil Zoodles
• Zoodles with Meat Sauce
• Zoodle Stir Fry with Chicken and Vegetables

Flavorful, fresh, fun, festive salad

Use the thicker blade

Long strands of cucumber

Strain excess water for 30 minutes

Cooked quinoa, red onion and feta

Simple dressing

Eat as an entree or as a side dish

Cucumber Quinoa & Feta Salad (Click to print)

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Serves: 4 as a side or 2 as a salad entree

Ingredients:

• 1 english cucumber, spiraled with the Veggetti or slice, dice or julianne cut
• 1 cup of cooked quinoa, cold
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 4 oz crumbled feta

For dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil (I used Wegmans brand basting oil)
• 3 tb red wine vinegar
• 1 minced garlic clove
• salt n pepper

Spiralize one large english cucumber into a colander. Place a bowl under the colander for 30 minutes to allow water to strain from cucumber. Place a paper towel over the cucumber and press down to remove excess water. Place cucumber in  a large bowl and add sliced onion, cooked quinoa and feta. With a fork or tongs mix the ingredients. Before serving add the dressing to the salad and gently mix. 

Food Impressions:

Andrea: A fresh, flavorful, fun and festive salad! Can't wait to make this for my guests one day.