Why salt the cucumber?

It removes water so Cucumber & fennel salad stays creamy, not watery.

Slice paper-thin; Polish creamy dill cucumber salad softens the anise note.

Swap half the sour cream for yogurt in Cucumber & fennel salad.

Yes—a pinch helps balance vinegar but is optional.

Cucumber & fennel salad

Name: Cucumber & fennel salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 1 large Cucumber; 1 tsp Sugar; 1 sliced Fennel Bulb; 150ml Sour Cream; Juice of 1 Lemon; 1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar; Bunch Dill

By Chef Cannon

Cuisine: Polish

Cucumber & fennel salad is Polish creamy dill cucumber salad: salted sugared cucumber drained ten minutes, mixed with sliced fennel, then sour cream, lemon, vinegar and dill. Season with black pepper. Serve cold beside fish or potatoes.

At a glance

Time: about 20 min · 2–3 plates · Difficulty: easy · ≈ 140 kcal

Tutorial

Ingredients

1 large Cucumber
1 tsp Sugar
1 sliced Fennel Bulb
150ml Sour Cream
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
Bunch Dill

Steps

step 1
Put cucumber in a sieve. Sprinkle with 1 tsp salt and the sugar, then leave for 10 mins. Add fennel.
step 2
Mix soured cream, lemon juice, vinegar and dill, then season with black pepper and add to fennel mix.

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Time and temperature

Salt cucumber 10 min · drain · fold into creamy dressing

Nutrition

140 kcal · Protein 3 g · Fat 10 g · Carbs 10 g

1 plate (estimate)

Substitutes

Sour cream → Greek yogurt
Dill → chives
White wine vinegar → apple cider vinegar
Fennel → extra cucumber + celery

Storage

Dressed salad fridge 1 day; cucumber weeps—drain before serving again.

FAQ

Why salt the cucumber?: It removes water so Cucumber & fennel salad stays creamy, not watery.
Fennel too strong?: Slice paper-thin; Polish creamy dill cucumber salad softens the anise note.
Make it lighter?: Swap half the sour cream for yogurt in Cucumber & fennel salad.
Can I skip sugar?: Yes—a pinch helps balance vinegar but is optional.