Cucumber Chow: Enjoy this Refreshing, Flavorful Snack

Cucumber chow is a spicy, low-calorie snack that is so quick and easy to make. You only need a few ingredients to turn boring ole cucumbers into a refreshing, flavorful side dish or afternoon snack.

If you like healthy, delicious snacks, check out these pineapple chow and mango chow recipes.

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What is Chow?

Chow is a common snack in Trinidad and Tobago. It is made with fresh fruit or veggies, local seasonings (like culantro and cilantro), salt, pepper, and garlic. Vinegar is sometimes added in to preserve the chow.

As with any and everything relating to Caribbean cuisine, there are no rules when it comes to making chow. You can use any fresh fruit or veggie or any combination to make this flavorful snack.

Making Cucumber Chow

To make this recipe, you will need cucumbers, culantro (we call it chadon beni), garlic, salt, pepper, and an acid like lime or lemon juice. Vinegar is also fine too.

If you can’t get your hands on culantro, use cilantro as a replacement or get green seasoning on Amazon. Chives, parsley and thyme are also tasty additions.

Here are the ingredients I used: cucumbers, culantro, garlic, salt, chili peppers, and vinegar. These are the bare minimum ingredients – you can pack in so much more!

Peeling the cucumbers is not necessary… but I prefer to do so. Two unpeeled cucumbers will give you 90 Calories and peeled ones provide 48 Calories. So, the skin adds to the calorie count and removing it makes this one healthy, low-calorie snack!

Finely chop culantro, garlic and pepper. Mix in all the ingredients and chill for 15 to 30 minutes.

If you fancy Caribbean peppers and pepper sauces, you must check out these on Amazon.

That’s all folks! Simple, easy and so flavorful! Here’s how it looks!

Cucumber Chow Recipe

Print Recipe

Cucumber chow

Cucumber chow is a refreshing, spicy snack that is perfect for summer time. All you need is a couple cucumbers, culantro (or cilantro), garlic, salt, pepper and a touch of acid. That’s all you need to turn boring cucumbers into a flavorful snack.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Caribbean

Keyword: chow

Servings: 2

Calories: 29kcal

Ingredients

• 2 peeled cucumbers cubed or sliced
• 3 – 5 leaves culantro use cilantro as a substitute
• 2 garlic clove minced; optional
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste; optional
• 1 tsp acid (like lime or lemon juice or vinegar) optional

Instructions

• Peel and cut cucumbers into slices or small, bite-sized pieces.
• Chop culantro or cilantro leaves.
• Mince garlic.
• Mix all ingredients.
• Let stand for 15 – 30 minutes.
• Serve chilled.