I'm at the end of my round... but I thought I would post this for those starting P2. Let me know how it goes! (yes, you will need to eliminate the butter to make it p2 friendly)
Serves4 (side dish) Active time:25 min Start to finish:25 min March 2007
Cooking cucumbers takes them out of the salad realm, transforming them into a side dish that's perfect with fish or white meat. Perked up with mint and lemon, they're as refreshing as ever.
3 seedless cucumbers (usually plastic-wrapped; 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 lb total), peeled 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Special equipment: an adjustable-blade slicer with 1/4-inch julienne blade
Adjust blade of slicer to 1/8-inch-thick setting. Using slicer, cut each cucumber lengthwise into long 1/8-inch-thick julienne strips, slicing until you reach core, then rotate cucumber a quarter turn and continue slicing and rotating until left with nothing but core. Blanch cucumber "noodles" in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water 1 minute, then drain in a colander. Immerse colander with cucumbers in a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, about 2 minutes.
Drain cucumbers, then transfer to a clean kitchen towel and pat cucumbers dry.
Heat butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until foam subsides, then cook cucumbers, mint, salt, pepper, zest, and lemon juice, tossing to coat, until just heated through, about 1 minute.
I've done something similar with zucchini. You use an apple peeler and peel the zucchini into noodles and saute with olive oil and garlic. (Obviously, no oil, if in P2)