Smashed Cucumber Salad (涼拌黃瓜）

This cold cucumber dish is very popular in Taiwan.  You can find it in almost all the deli, cafeterias or restaurants as a cold dish appetizer.  It is really simple to make and is a very good dish for a BBQ party.

Ingredient:

8 Persian cucumbers
2 cloves of garlic
1.5 tsp salt
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sugar

Steps:

Cut off the stem, then cut cucumbers into one inch long segments (about 3 or 4 segments per cucumber).  Use  the side of a heavy knife to smash it.  If they are connected, cut each segment into 4 pieces.  No need to peel the skin or de-seed it.  Smash the garlic and cut them into small pieces.  Put the cucumbers and garlic into a plastic container and add 1.5 tsp salt, shake it, then seal it and put it in  refridgator for 2-3 hours.  30 minutes before serving,  take the cucumber out, drain most the juice out (in case it is too salty). Add sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar, mix and serve.  It you like it sweet and sour, don't add soy sauce, add rice vinegar and sugar instead.