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2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers

In this easy, 2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers recipe, cucumbers are gently pan-charred with a generous sprinkle of harissa.

My Favorite panfried cucumbers

This 2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers recipe is such an easy one. And, these days, it is one of my favorite ways to enjoy cucumbers.

At the beginning of summer, I started nursing a hankering for warm cucumbers.

Now, warm cucumbers during a heat wave might not sound like the best idea, but, you might change your mind if you tasted this side dish.

Ingredients to make pan-fried cucumbers

What are the ingredients to make this 2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers recipe?

To make this dish, you will need:

• Cucumbers, and
• Harissa

You will also need some oil, salt, and pepper.

cooked warm cucumber recipe

What type of cucumber is best in this recipe?

I recently learned that there are over one hundred cucumber varieties. And, the ones that are most commonly found here in North America are garden cucumbers. They are said to be smooth-skinned and dark green.

And, as you guessed, garden cucumbers are what I used in this recipe.

You could also use English cucumbers in this dish. Though, I think any one of the other 99 varieties of cucumber might work just as well. So long as they are firm to touch.

Easy panfried cucumbers made with New York Shuk Fiery Harissa

What is harissa?

Harissa is a smoky spice blend that is said to have originated in Tunisia. It is available in powder and paste form. And, it is usually a blend of dry red chile peppers with spices such as cumin, coriander, caraway, garlic, and sometimes, citrus. Depending on the ingredients used, harissa can be spicy or even tangy.

It has been my experience that no two harissa blends are exactly alike.

And, my favorite harissa blend is the one made by New York Shuk. Now, am not being paid to say this, it’s just what I have on hand and love to use. I usually stock up on New York Shuk Fiery Harissa when I am at Sprouts. NY Shuk’s harissa is delightfully spicy and smoky, with layers of flavor that transcend into every dish it is added to.

Some days I pan sauté a butterflied chicken breast with just harissa and a bit of salt and pepper.

On other days, I enjoy it in dishes like this Easy Harissa Tofu Curry, these Harissa Jackfruit Balls, this Harissa Tempeh Recipe, and this Easy Harissa Salmon with Asparagus and Israeli Couscous.

Speaking of recipes, let’s get back to this 2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers one…

Two ingredient pan fried cucumber in a beautiful pan

Tips when making this Pan Fried Cucumbers Recipe…

  • Slice the cucumber into slightly thicker slices, about 1/4 of an inch thick. If the slices are too thin, they tend to get burned. During the pan-frying stage, these cucumber slices will lose a lot of their volume.
  • I pan-fried these harissa spiced cucumbers over a medium flame, on a gas stove. But, do keep in mind that all stoves differ in heat and intensity.
  • Pan-fry the cucumbers for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until each slice is slightly charred.
  • When these pan fried cucumbers are freshly made, they will be ever so slightly crispy. However, if you store these in a covered container, they lose their crispness. They are still tasty, but, tend to be a tad more soggy than crispy.

Which brings us to…

What is the best way to store these pan fried cucumbers?

To be perfectly honest with you, these cucumbers do not store well. As I mentioned, they tend to lose their crispness and get a tad bit soggy. They are still tasty. But these pan fried cucumbers are best enjoyed when freshly made.

However, if their lack of crispness does not bother you, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or sauté them in a pan. However, keep in mind that they don’t get back to being as crispy as when they were first made.

How to serve these 2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers?

These warm cucumbers can be enjoyed by themselves as a snack.

They can also be served as a side dish with yellow rice, mango chicken curry, broccoli croquettes, cherry chutney, and charred zucchini.

Or, with a simple and easy Quinoa dish or Israeli Couscous with Chicken.


Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make this recipe, please let me know in the comments below what you think of it, or tag your creation on social media with @savoryspin or #savoryspin. For more fusion, spice-filled, recipe ideas, please subscribe and follow me on FacebookInstagram, and/or Pinterest!

My Favorite panfried cucumbers

2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes

In this easy, 2-Ingredient Pan Fried Cucumbers recipe, cucumbers are gently pan-charred with a generous sprinkle of harissa.

Ingredients

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 2 Tbsp New York Shuk Fiery Harissa (or your favorite Harissa blend)
  • 2 Tbsp grapeseed oil (or oil of your choice)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and slice cucumbers into 1/4-inch thick slices.
  2. Add oil to a large frying pan, place it on a stovetop set at medium heat/flame, and add the cucumber slices to the pan.
  3. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp of harissa over the slices and let sauté 2–3 minutes or until slightly charred.
  4. When charred, flip the slices over (using a spatula) and sprinkle the remaining harissa over them. Let them sauté about 2–3 minutes or until charred.
  5. Remove from the stove, sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over them.
  6. Garnish with chopped fresh or dried parsley and enjoy warm.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 66Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 127mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 1g

Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an approximation only. Savory Spin makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. Please do consult a professional nutritionist for more accurate information. Please do keep in mind that prep times, cooking times, etc, are provided as guidelines as there are so many variables at play.

Did you make this recipe?

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Toni

Thursday 31st of August 2023

This is such a great way to enjoy cucumbers! Amazing! Thanks for the recipe!

Kathleen

Thursday 31st of August 2023

What a fabulous, quick and simple dish. These cucumbers are perfect as a snack or side dish.

Caroline

Thursday 31st of August 2023

Don't know that I've ever cooked cucumber, but no reason why not, and harissa is always so good for adding lots of great flavor.

Dana Sandonato

Thursday 31st of August 2023

This sounds SO GOOD! I can't wait to try this. I've never had pan-fried cucumbers but I love love cucumbers. Very excited! Making it this weekend.

David @ Spiced

Thursday 31st of August 2023

Fried cucumbers!? Say what!! I've never heard of such a thing, Shashi, but these sound (and look) amazing!) Super easy to make...I just have to find the harissa. I remember years ago hunting all over upstate New York for harissa, and I just got funny looks everywhere. I'm guessing it'll be much easier to find now! This is a nice and easy side dish for these busy weekdays now that school is back in session.

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