Tarator

Serbian Sour cream and Cucumber Salad

2 medium-sized cucumbers

1 clove garlic, minced

Coarse salt (kosher or sea)

2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 large red onion, finely diced

2 tablespoons finely-chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley or dill

Freshly-ground black pepper

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the cucumber peel in lengthwise strips, leaving thin strips of skin intact (the overall effect will be striped. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a melon baller or spoon. cut each cucumber half crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Place the garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the bottom of an attractive serving bowl and mash to a paste. Add the vinegar and stir until the salt dissolves. Stir in the sour cream, followed by the cucumber slices, onion and parsley (or dill). Season with more salt and pepper to taste; the salad should be highly seasoned. Refrigerate until ready to serve.