Explosive. Zesty. Tart. Native. Caviar. Bushfood. Expressive words to describe the ever so trendy, yet ancient Australian finger lime. No better partner than one that lets it shine, the humble cucumber gives crunch and freshness. What a salad!
Why I Love Cucumber Finger Lime Salad
Cucumber and lime are a classic combination of flavours, and for me, it epitomises what a light salad should be. Tossed through with a very simple Asian inspired salad dressing, the sesame oil and soy sauce really bring out the flavours.
For this recipe, we showcase the Australian finger lime. This fruit is growing in popularity both for its flavours and its gorgeous textures.
What was once a scarce commodity and only ever available to top restaurants, they are becoming more and more popular. While they are far from being easily procured, they are becoming easier to find.
They are a flavour bomb, and I couldn’t help but pair it with something that would complement it rather than overpower it. The outcome is a fresh and delightful cucumber finger lime salad. Perfect for a summer BBQ!
Where Did Finger Limes Come From?
Finger lime originated from Australia and has been part of Australian indigenous lives for thousands of years. They are the fruit of a rare rainforest tree that grew in Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
A valuable source of food and medicine for the Aboriginal people, the finger lime was used not only to eat but to help fend off diseases and also used as an antiseptic for sores.
You’re probably wondering why finger limes have only recently become so popular when it has been around for thousands of years.
What once grew in the wild, large parts of the rainforests were destroyed and cleared for settlement when European colonisation happened. Thankfully, some of the trees did survive in private property and some small pockets of farmland.
What is Finger Lime?
The Australian finger lime is small and oblong in shape. It’s usually about 7 cm in length, and it tapers at the end. The skin is thin and slightly smooth with a leathery texture.
Finger limes come in a variety of colours such as yellow, pink, green, purple and even bright red.
The inside of the finger lime has pulp that contains juice vesicles that resemble caviar, hence also commonly dubbed caviar lime.
These vesicles interchangeably called pearls, and they are small pops of dynamite! Each pearl is filled with tangy lime juice and literally pops in your mouth when the thin skin breaks.
What Does Finger Lime Taste Like?
Like a lime! Go figure!
It’s tart, tangy, sour with floral notes. It also has some astringency and bitterness.
When is Finger Lime in Season?
Finger limes are an autumn fruit, so for us down under, they can be found around April/May.
They are quite a resilient fruit and can last up to 3-4 weeks.
Where Can I Buy Finger Lime?
Due to their short season and scarcity, finger limes are not easy to find. Not only are there not many farmers are growing this crop but also half of the Australian production is going overseas.
Try your farmers market or fine food grocer.
Thankfully, finger limes can withstand the freezing process so it can live in the freezer for 6 months. So, if you find them, grab a whole heap for later!
How to Make Cucumber Finger Lime Salad
Cut 1 cucumber into diagonal cubes. This means make the first cut at a 45-degree angle to the right, then the next cut at a 45-degree angle to the left. Continue until the whole cucumber is cut.
For the 2nd cucumber, slice into ribbons. Using a wide Y peeler, peel the first layer of skin and discard. Then peel wide strips until you get to the seed. Then repeat on the other side.
Chop peanuts to yield ¼ cup
Roughly chop flat leaf parsley to yield 1 cup.
Slice ½ red onion thinly.
Cut chilli open and remove the seeds. Dice finely to yield 1 tsp.
Extract the vesicles from 2 finger limes. Just cut in half and gently squeeze the ends and the vesicles will ooze out. Discard the skin.
For the other 2 finger limes, cut in half and squeeze very gently so that only some of the vesicles comes out. Leave it as it is with the skin.
How to Make Sesame Soy Dressing
Add all the ingredients of the salad dressing together and mix until well combined.
How To Assemble The Salad
Mix the cucumber, peanuts, red onion, chilli, black sesame seeds and parsley into a mixing bowl. Add half the dressing and toss until well combined.
Place tossed salad onto one side of the plate.
Add droplets of dressing to the empty side of the plate and then add dollops of extracted finger lime vesicles on top.
Add the other 2 opened finger limes with the skin on, on top of the cucumber salad as a showcase of the gorgeous fruit.
Drizzle the rest of the dressing if you want more.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve immediately as the cucumber will start to water.
This salad is essentially a cucumber salad accompanied by some small add on ingredients but elevated by the finger lime. The sesame soy dressing binds it all together to give it an Asian finish. This is so yum, you’re going to have to make an extra serve.
That’s all!
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Cucumber Finger Lime Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cucumber
- ¼ peanuts, roasted, chopped
- 1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- ½ red onion
- 1 tsp chilli, diced
- 4 finger limes
- 1 tsp sesame seeds, black
Salad Dressing
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.
Instructions
Salad
- Cut 1 cucumber into diagonal cubes. This means make the first cut at a 45-degree angle to the right, then the next cut at a 45-degree angle to the left. Continue until the whole cucumber is cut.
- For the 2nd cucumber, slice into ribbons. Using a wide Y peeler, peel the first layer of skin and discard. Then peel wide strips until you get to the seed. Then repeat on the other side.
- Chop peanuts to yield ¼ cup
- Roughly chop flat leaf parsley to yield 1 cup.
- Slice ½ red onion thinly.
- Cut chilli open and remove the seeds. Dice finely to yield 1 tsp.
- Extract the vesicles from 2 finger limes. Just cut in half and gently squeeze the ends and the vesicles will ooze out. Discard the skin.
- For the other 2 finger limes, cut in half and squeeze very gently so that only some of the vesicles comes out. Leave it as it is with the skin.
Salad Dressing
- Add all the ingredients of the salad dressing together and mix until well combined.
Assembly
- Mix the cucumber, peanuts, red onion, chilli, black sesame seeds and parsley into a mixing bowl. Add half the dressing and toss until well combined.
- Place tossed salad onto one side of the plate.
- Add droplets of dressing to the empty side of the plate and then add dollops of extracted vesicles on top.
- Add the other 2 opened finger limes with the skin on, on top of the cucumber salad as a showcase of the gorgeous fruit.
- Drizzle the rest of the dressing if you want more.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately as the cucumber will start to water.
Equipment
Notes
- This salad should only be assembled when you’re ready to eat. Otherwise, the cucumber will water if allowed to sit too long.
- You can cut the cucumber any way you wish. Cutting it up 2 different ways is both for texture and presentation.
- You can use shallots instead of red onion.
- You can omit chilli if you don’t like the heat or vice versa if you do! Jalapenos would work well to instead of red chillies.
- You can use white instead of black sesame seeds. Nigella seeds would work well too.
- Replace soy sauce with tamari for a gluten free recipe.
Nutrition
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Chef Dennis
This looks incredibly delicious. Yum!
The Devil Wears Salad
Thank you!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
This dish looks so deliciously good. I wish I could eat that right this minute!
The Devil Wears Salad
LOL! It’s yum and so refreshing!
Audrey
Such a refreshing salad!!
The Devil Wears Salad
Thanks Audrey!
Kristina
So refreshing! I know this will be a favorite this summer.
The Devil Wears Salad
It really is great for the summer months. Really good if you’re dining outside on a warm and balmy day.
Natalie
I love the flavors in this salad. Sounds so refreshing and delicious. Can’t wait to give this a try.
The Devil Wears Salad
Yeah it is very refreshing! Perfect if you’re having a heavy main. This will definitely balance it all out,