Dish of Swedish Pressed Cucumbers
(click to enlarge)

Cucumbers Pressed


Sweden   -   Pressgurka

Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
1-1/2 cups
**
4 hrs
Best
This is a slight variation on the fresh cucumber salads that are so popular all over Scandinavia.

1
2/3
3
-------
1/4
1/3
1
1/8
-------

#
t
T
---
c
c
T
t
---

Cucumbers (1)  
Salt
Parsley (2)
-- Dressing
Vinegar (3)
Water
Sugar (4)
Pepper, black
------------

Make   -   (2 to 14 hours - 15 min work)
  1. Slice CUCUMBERS very thin (1/8 inch or less thick) on a mandolin or similar device. Spread 1/3 of them on a plate and sprinkle with plenty of Salt. Repeat twice more to use up all the slices (see Photo Gallery).
  2. Move the cucumbers around so they are stacked thinner where the ridges in the upper palate will be. This is easy to see once the pressing has started.
  3. Cover with another plate and place a few pounds of weight on the top plate. in our photo, that stack of heavy stoneware dishes weighs 6 pounds. Let press for 1 to 12 hours (there is no standard). I like at least 3 hours. You can redistribute the cukes halfway through for even pressing.
  4. Strip PARSLEY LEAVES from the stems and chop medium.
  5. Mix all Dressing items and stir until Sugar has all dissolved. The Cucumbers should retain enough salt so more is not needed.
  6. Drain Cucumbers, but do not rinse. Tumble with Parsley and Dressing until well mixed.
  7. Pack in a jar (actually, I pack in a sealed plastic bag) and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  8. Serve chilled.
NOTES:
  1. Cucumbers:

      Use narrow unwaxed cucumbers that need not be peeled or seeded (Persian, European, Japanese etc.). If you can't get any of those use small Kirbeys, but larger ones (and standard green blimps) need to be peeled.
  2. Parsley, Flat:

      Most recipes call for Parsley, but a few call for Dill.
  3. Vinegar:

      Most recipes call for White Distilled Vinegar (Spirit Vinegar in Europe) 5%, but nothing says you can't use a good 5% White Wine Vinegar.
  4. Sugar:

      As usual, I have cut the recipe amount of sugar in half because I can't stand as much as the Scandinavians like. Adjust to your own taste.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
vgv_cukpres1 191211 inet var   -   www.clovegarden.com
©Andrew Grygus - agryg@aaxnet.com - Linking to and non-commercial use of this page is permitted.