Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad)
Servings: 4
Calories: 56kcal
Ingredients
- 1 English cucumber
- ⅓ cup sour cream increase to ½ cup for a creamier salad
- 1 green onion sliced
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill chopped
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber thinly and place in a medium bowl. You can use a knife or a mandolin.
- Sprinkle with salt, mix and set aside for 15-30 minutes. Then drain any excess water on a colander or place a double sheet of paper towel on top of the cucumbers, press and pat the cucumbers dry. If there is water at the bottom of the bowl, drain it.
- Season the cucumbers with sugar, black pepper and vinegar (or lemon juice). Add chopped fresh dill and green onion and sour cream.
- Stir together and serve immediately or cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
Notes
Traditionally, cucumbers for mizeria are peeled or partially peeled before slicing. I often leave some or all of the peel on because I like the extra crunch and color, but either approach is fine.
English cucumbers (the long cucumbers sold in plastic sleeves) work best because they have thin skin and fewer seeds. You can also use Persian, mini, or pickling cucumbers. If using cucumbers with thick skin, peel them first.
Salting and draining the cucumbers is the traditional method and helps prevent the salad from becoming watery, especially if you're making it ahead of time. The cucumbers will soften slightly as they release moisture.
For a crunchier salad, skip the salting step and combine everything except the sour cream and salt. Add those just before serving. Both methods are common in Polish kitchens—some people prefer softer cucumbers, while others like more texture.
Don't skip the sugar - you need it to balance out mizeria flavors gives the salad its characteristic sweet-tart flavor.
While not traditional, I often add red onion instead of green for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 299mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 244IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.3mg