{"id":3733,"date":"2018-07-30T16:15:04","date_gmt":"2018-07-30T21:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/capitalchirodsm.com\/?p=3733"},"modified":"2018-08-01T14:11:56","modified_gmt":"2018-08-01T19:11:56","slug":"refreshing-appetizer-cucumber-hummus-bites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capitalchirodsm.com\/refreshing-appetizer-cucumber-hummus-bites\/","title":{"rendered":"Refreshing appetizer: Cucumber + hummus bites"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"healthyDo you have an abundance of cucumbers in your garden that you’re not sure what to do with? Or maybe you are looking for a new snack or appetizer for these warm summer days?<\/p>\n

Well, how about cucumbers?<\/p>\n

A satisfying + hydrating summer snack<\/h3>\n

Since cucumbers are mode of 95 percent water, they are an ideal hydrating and cooling food. Plus, they contain the anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin, which aids in maintaining brain health, in addition to other health benefits (Mercola 2018).<\/p>\n

Cucumbers are also versatile. They can be eaten whole (think easy road trip snack), spiralized as a noodle, chopped in a salad, pressed for a juice, or sliced on a sandwich.<\/p>\n

Here, we slice them into discs to serve as delivery vessels for hummus, fresh herbs, and a touch of paprika. This go-to cool-down recipe is ideal for a casual dinner side, a quick snack, or even a fancy appetizer.<\/p>\n

Cucumber + Hummus Bites<\/h3>\n

To begin, select 1-3 cucumbers, 1-1.5 inches in diameter. The larger the cucumber, typically the tougher the skin and harder it is to bite through to the inside. Choosing a thinner cucumber will help you achieve a more tender peel. This is especially helpful if you’re serving the dish to people less inclined to like vegetables.<\/p>\n

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Next, wash the cucumbers. Then decide if you’ll peel the cucumber entirely, in stripes, or not at all. If you choose to peel entirely (a better option if you can’t source organic\/pesticide-free ones), use a pairing knife or vegetable peeler to remove all skins. For a striped peel, use a papaya peeler (pictured below). These handy and fun tools are available at local kitchen supply stores or at ethnic grocery stores. Or skip the peeling entirely.<\/p>\n

\"papaya<\/p>\n

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Now slice into discs to your desired thickness. Lay them out on a cutting board side by side.<\/p>\n

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Grab your hummus*.\u00a0Then scoop a 1\/2 teaspoon onto each cucumber slice.<\/p>\n