This crisp cucumber and tomato salad is a staple in our home from spring to the end of summer, and I hope you enjoy this simple salad too!
When I think of simple, delicious, refreshing, and nourishing salads for summer, this one comes to mind.
Both cucumbers and tomatoes – the stars of this recipe – are hydrating vegetables available in the summer months and rich in antioxidants. In my opinion, cucumbers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow.
Cucumbers contain vitamin K, potassium, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, copper, vitamin C, and magnesium. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene. In addition to chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, I like to add tangy red onions, plenty of fresh dill and parsley, and occasionally Castelvetrano olives.
What I love most about this salad is its simplicity and versatility – it takes about 10 minutes to prepare and can be enjoyed as a side dish or main course.
To turn it into a main course, increase the fat, protein, and starchy carbohydrate components by following the Foundational Five system for a balanced plate. Some ideas to increase the balanced components of a meal include: avocado, edamame, grilled shrimp, fish, smoked salmon, chicken, tofu, boiled eggs, hemp seeds, cooked quinoa, and the list goes on.
