Active Time

　　25 min

　　Total Time

　　25 min

　　Cooking cucumbers takes them out of the salad realm, transforming them into a side dish that's perfect with fish or white meat. Perked up with mint and lemon, they're as refreshing as ever.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 (side dish) servings

　　3 seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped; 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds total), peeled

　　2 tablespoons unsalted butter

　　2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1/4 teaspoon black pepper

　　1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest

　　1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

　　

Special Equipment

an adjustable-blade slicer with 1/4-inch julienne blade

　　

Step 1

Adjust blade of slicer to 1/8-inch-thick setting. Using slicer, cut each cucumber lengthwise into long 1/8-inch-thick julienne strips, slicing until you reach core, then rotate cucumber a quarter turn and continue slicing and rotating until left with nothing but core. Blanch cucumber "noodles" in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water 1 minute, then drain in a colander. Immerse colander with cucumbers in a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, about 2 minutes. Drain cucumbers, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and pat cucumbers dry.

　　

Step 2

Heat butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook cucumbers, mint, salt, pepper, zest, and lemon juice, tossing to coat, until just heated through, about 1 minute.