I am obsessed with Harissa on everything- and here it works perfectly well in this refreshing smashed cucumber salad (obviously inspired by Chinese smashed cucumber salads) but with a twist. Here you’ll find flavourful heat from the Harissa paste, proteins from young fava beans, a touch of sweetness with juicy dried cranberries and a final touch of creamy savoury with vegan Feta cheese. Enjoy!

This recipe is for 1 very hungry belly or 2-3 small-ish salads to share

INGREDIENTS:

4-5 Persian cucumbers

2 cups green fava beans.

1 generous TBSP of Harissa paste

1 TBSP Walnut oil

1 TBSP water

1-TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar

A few green olives

Salt and garlic (to season)

Dried cranberries (about 3 TBSP worth)

Vegan Feta (optional)

EQUIPMENT:

Rolling pin or large cooking spoon

Chopping board

Pot

Large bowl

DIRECTIONS:

Start by steaming or boiling your fava beans just for 3-4 mins, until soft but not mushy. Rinse and set aside.

Place your cucumbers on a chopping board, and with the back of a rolling pin or a strong large spoon, smash your cucumbers.

Cut lengthwise and chop into chunky cubes.

Now, in the bottom of your large mixing bowl, add the harissa paste, the walnut oil, the water and apple cider vinegar. Whisk it with a spoon until the harissa paste is well diluted into the liquids.

Throw in the cucumbers, fava beans, olives, cranberries, feta.

Add a pinch of salt + garlic (taste along the way!)

Stir everything until all the ingredients are well coated with the dressing.

Enjoy!

NOTES:

Harissa is a typical Western North African spicy, umami rich paste. It’s quite easy to find outside of the region, especially in Europe and the US.  If you cannot find Harissa where you live, try a Chinese Chili Sauce or even Gochujang! They are not exact substitutes, but can be integrated in this dish.

Persian cucumbers are best for this recipe, but you can also use an English cucumber.

I used Walnut oil because I especially like how it pairs with a Harissa paste, but you can also use EVOO or Sesame oil or any oil of your liking!

If you don’t have access to fresh green fava beans, you may find them in the frozen section of your supermarket. And if you don’t have access to either, use the more mature white broad bean.