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Spiced Cucumber Sticks with Chaat Masala

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Spiced Cucumber Sticks with Chaat Masala

These spiced cucumber sticks are really easy and healthy snack to have on hand for when those spice cravings hit. The predominant flavor is chaat masala, a combination of savory, fragrant, and salty spices. It is usually used as a finishing spice, to sprinkle over food, rather than one that needs to be cooked out.

Ingredients

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    3 large cucumbers
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    1 small red onion, finely diced
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    1 teaspoon chaat masala
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    1/2 teaspoon hot red chili powder
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    Flaked sea salt (like Maldon), to taste
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    Small handful finely chopped cilantro
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    1 lime, quartered, to serve

Method

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
  • NOTES

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    You can prepare the cucumber and onions ahead of time and chill. Sprinkle with the spices just before serving.
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    Go easy on the salt, as chaat masala already has salt in it.
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    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, and enjoy.