Thursday, May 3, 2012

Cucumbers in Sour Cream - Polish Mizeria

This is one of my favorite ways to eat cucumbers.  A simple recipe with a little legend.

  • 1 large cucumber, washed, trimmed and peeled
  • Salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 2 tsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
Run a fork down the length of the cucumber to form a pretty edge.   In a small bowl, mix remaining ingredients.  Add the dressing and toss with the cucumber slices. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Chill and sprinkle with additional dill, if desired, before serving.

   Legend has it this dish was a favorite of Queen Bona Sforza, an Italian princess who married Polish King Sigismund I in the 16th century. Homesick for her native Italy where cucumbers were common, everytime she ate it, it made her cry. Hence the Polish word for "misery," derived from the Latin.

This certainly doesn't make me cry - I could eat the whole bowl!

5 comments:

  1. Oh yum! Dill and sour cream, what's not to love:@)

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  2. Oh yeah - one of my favorite ways to each cucumbers.

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  3. Very nice cucumber salad, had to share this one on google+!!

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  4. Like you, this is truly one of my favorite ways to enjoy cucumbers. I wrote a post on this last year I think, but must seriously try your recipe! Hope all is well this beautiful time of year! xoxo, Roz ps: I pinned this photo and recipe on Pinterest!!!!

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  5. Great recipe AND background story!

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