How can it be that I forgot one of my favorite salads from my childhood? How could that possibly have happened? Because when my grandmother made this salad (or a close approximation) I would end up licking the bowl. Every – single – time! And it took me until I was 78 years old to remember this salad? What gives with that!? I can only speculate that it’s because I have been a busy adult. (My story and I’m sticking to it!) Plus, I already have similar cucumber salads posted on this site.

But what makes this recipe so important now, is that I have been remembering a lot about my maternal grandparents lately. Their kindness and thoughtfulness and consideration for everyone and everything around them. Not because it was required of them, but because that was just the way they were raised. And the way they chose to live their lives.  

They were both third generation immigrants from Strasbourg, which is a lovely city in the Grand Est region, formerly Alsace, in Northeastern France. It’s also the formal seat of the European Parliament and sits near the German border, with culture and architecture blending German and French influences. So, although my grandfather’s last name was Kléber (yes, a direct descendent of Jean-Baptiste Kléber, a French General under Napoleon) he and my grandmother both spoke German. And my grandmother cooked like any good German immigrant was taught to cook.         

I guess thinking about my grandparents made me remember this salad. Also, because once again, I was looking for a cucumber salad recipe that would take me just minutes to prepare.

What I found were several recipes for German Cucumber Salad. Although I already have a German cucumber salad on this site, (and it’s very good I might add), it still isn’t quite like the salad I so loved as a child. And in truth, none of the recipes I found seemed to be exactly as I remembered. Because I remember onion in my grandmother’s salad. And quite a bit of vinegar. So, I glommed a couple of German cucumber salad recipes together, added some yellow onion, more vinegar than reasonable, and this is the result. And OMG, this salad is as good as I remembered. Perfect amount of vinegar, just enough salt, and a perfect use for English cucumbers. And fast and easy to prepare.

Of course, my grandmother didn’t use English cucumbers. She had a huge garden, but I don’t think English cucumber seeds were available in those days. (There were two houses on our property. My dad, mom, 2 brothers and I lived in the bigger house. And my grandparents lived in the other house.) And, if I remember correctly, to make her veggies go farther to feed us hungry folk, she let her cucumbers get really, really large before they were picked. I do remember several times when the cucumbers were very bitter, mainly I think because they were so big. I ate the salad regardless. (I have always liked veggies.) But English cucumbers are rarely bitter. So, I pretty much stick to them these days. And I’m sure grandma would approve. Even as frugal as she was.

What I know this college educated, soft spoken, avid reader, kitty and garden loving lady would not have approved of however, was the current situation the United States of America finds itself in. She would be so saddened by what is happening in Washington DC these days. As of course most of us are. And although she and my grandfather were never rich (monetarily), they were always happy with each other and the world around them. And to my mind these two people exemplified the true meaning of being a Christian. They didn’t judge others. They didn’t feel superior because of their race. They didn’t put people down. They didn’t decide what was best for others regardless of how they might have felt about the situation themselves. Rather they spent their lives lifting people up. Accepting people for who they were. And always showing love and compassion towards everyone. In their humble way, they were very special people. And I was blessed to have them in my life. I can still see my twinkle eyed grandfather hooking up a wagon behind his tractor to give me and my two brothers a hayride. I never saw this wonderful gentle man without a smile on his face.

Anyway, give this salad a try. It is so very delicious. And so very easy to prepare.

Peace and love to all.

2 T. finely minced yellow onion

¼ c. sour cream

4 tsp. white vinegar, or more to taste

½ tsp. dill weed

1/8 tsp. granulated sugar

¼ tsp. kosher salt, or more to taste

freshly ground black pepper

1 English cucumber, semi peeled and thinly sliced

Whisk the onion, sour cream, white (plain old) vinegar, dill weed, sugar, salt, and pepper together in a small salad bowl. Add the sliced cucumbers, stir so that every bit of every cucumber slice is coated with the dressing, and refrigerate until ready to serve.