Japanese Cucumber Salad (Sunomono)

Ingredients

• 5 cucumbers
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds, or to taste

Directions

Partially peel cucumbers lengthwise, leaving thin green stripes around the cucumber. Halve cucumbers lengthwise. Scoop seeds from cucumber halves with a spoon. Discard seeds. Slice cucumbers thinly and put in a bowl. Add salt to cucumber and mix with hand until cucumber is limp; set aside for 45 minutes.

Transfer cucumbers to a strainer and squeeze as much liquid out as possible.

Mix lemon juice, sugar, and vinegar together in a large bowl until the sugar dissolves. Add the drained cucumber and toss to coat. Spoon into small bowls and top each portion with toasted sesame seeds.