Here’s an appetizer that can be prepped in advanced, easy to fix when your guests arrive and deliciously fresh. These cucumber bites take a bit of a healthy spin and can easily be adapted to suit your tastes. Simply, find your favourite filling and fill your cucumber bowl and you’ll have one tasty bite (or maybe two). They are great filled with crab, spinach dip, and hummus; the options are limitless. I’d love to hear how you would fill yours!

My cucumber bites take on a Greek twist, with herbs, lemon, feta, olives, peppers, tomatoes and onion; combined to satisfy your taste buds. This recipe honestly doesn’t get any easier with three steps-cut, scoop, fill. I always prep my filling the night before and when it’s party time all that is left to do is cut the cucumber, scoop out the centre and fill- so easy!

Cucumber Bites (yields 20-24 bites)

• 2 cucumbers
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 1/2 small red onion, chopped
• 1 roma tomato, chopped
• 1/8 cup canned sliced black olives, chopped
• 1/8 cup fresh feta, crumbled
• 1/4 tbsp dried oregano
• 1/8 cup parsley/basil, chopped
• juice of 1 lemon plus 1 tbsp zest OR 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, mix together the pepper, onion, tomato, olives, feta, herbs, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Peel the cucumbers partially, cut each cucumber into 1-inch thick slices. Scoop out the center of each slice with a melon baller, leaving a cucumber bowl.

Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the Mediterranean salad into the cucumber cups. Garnish with additional herbs and olive oil as desired and enjoy!

Eat Fresh. xx