{"id":3453,"date":"2012-08-20T09:22:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-20T09:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=3453"},"modified":"2012-08-20T09:22:00","modified_gmt":"2012-08-20T09:22:00","slug":"simple-tomato-cucumber-salad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/bostonzest.com\/?p=3453","title":{"rendered":"Simple Tomato Cucumber Salad"},"content":{"rendered":"

 \"IMG_5606<\/a><\/p>\n

For years, when August brought me local tomatoes,<\/a> I've chopped some of them with cucumber<\/a>, scallions and herbs, dressed them with olive oil<\/a> and vinegar, and enjoyed serving this fresh, healthy salad.<\/p>\n

Recently I was talking to Fatima, a friend from Morocco,<\/a> about the dish and she gave me her version. She uses lemon instead of vinegar. I'm a fan of lemon zest<\/a> so I used both the lemon zest and juice and loved the result. In the photo (above) there is also some celery I found in the crisper and a sprinkle of my favorite Aleppo pepper<\/a> over the salad.<\/p>\n

\"IMG_5608<\/a><\/p>\n

It also has a mix of tomatoes. I cut up a big Cherokee Purple<\/a> heirloom tomato and then added a few cherry tomatoes cut in quarters. <\/p>\n

In the most basic version of this salad, you chop tomatoes, cucumbers, and scallions; season with salt, pepper, olive oil, and some kind of acid ingredient \u2013 vinegar, lemon, lime, etc. Then you can take it to what ever culture you choose.<\/p>\n

Add some feta cheese, Kalamata<\/a> olives, red onion, and green pepper with a sprinkle of oregano and you have a Greek version<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Dice tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and parsley and you have an I<\/a>sraeli salad.<\/a> Add garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, and lime\u2013 and it's salsa.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IMG_5611<\/a><\/p>\n

You can switch up the seasoning and have a different salad each day of the week. And, this base also takes on additions like cheese, beans, and legumes to turn it into a meal. All those lovely juices that come from the mix are perfect for dipping grilled slices of bread or tossing with toasted croutons to make a version of Italian panzanella!<\/a><\/p>\n

What's on your  Back to School shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your back to school needs,<\/a>\"\" and support this site!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n