Slovakian Cucumber and ´Cucumato´ Salad

Just came back from my little cute home country and I can still taste the flavors of my childhood. I took pictures of all of the dishes I ate there and would like to share a few recipes with you. Let me start with my utmost favorite - Cucumber Salad. I know, it is a very easy recipe, which I was taught by my dad, who is an expert at making it. A typical man in the kitchen: no measurements, lost of flavors. Here is the ´recipe´:

CUCUMBER SALAD:
(Uhorkový šalát)

prep time: 25 minutes
makes: as much as you wish

• cucumber
• garlic
• salt
  
• dressing :
  
• vinegar *
• sugar
• black pepper

* NOTE: On the picture, you might wonder, where the vinegar is. I didn't have one last time I was making it, so I used tamarind juice instead (its pulp is on the bottom left corner, yup, that gobble of brown stuff). Not Slovakian, but VERY tasty for a substitute.

First, wash the cucumber and grate it into thin slices (do not peel). Chop the garlic cloves and add to the cucumber slices. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for at least 10 minutes, so the cucumber release its juices.

Meantime, make the dressing:
Combine the vinegar, black pepper and sugar in a small bowl. Pour over the salad ad mix well. Adjust the final taste. Some people like it rather sweet, I prefer lots of black pepper and vinegar.


BUT!!! What really interested me on my last visit to Slovakia was, how the making of this salad changes according to the regions. My sister´s wedding took place in the eastern part of Slovakia. We arrived there late Friday night and were served a lovely dinner. Our host prepared a very traditional dish: Boiled cauliflower with fried breadcrumbs, baked potatoes and cucumber salad. HERS, though, was a mixture of what we call ´cucumber´and ´tomato salad´.


CUCUMATO SALAD:

• Cucumber
• tomato
• onion
• salt
  
• dressing (see recipe above)
  

She pretty much skipped the garlic and added finely chopped tomatoes and sliced onions. Pretty good twist, I must admit.