Mom's Cucumber Salad

Author: Dana Smith-Mansell

It was Thanksgiving 2001, late afternoon as my mother, my husband and I sat around the kitchen table after stuffing ourselves on our Thanksgiving feast. Of course the usual groans and moans were shared about eating too much, but we also enjoyed various conversations-the upcoming Christmas holiday, shopping, politics, and past holiday reflections.

My mother was a great conversationalist and always was open to discussing all topics. During the course of conversation, it suddenly occurred to me that I had yet to ask my mother to write down her recipe for cucumber salad. This salad was always a special favorite on holidays and all gatherings. It was the best ever made. So I interrupted my mother and asked, "Mom, how about writing the cucumber recipe for me?"

She smiled saying, "Oh it's not that difficult: you take two cucumbers." I had to stop her.

"Mom," I stated with firmness, "you know I have watched you make it for years, but obviously the recipe never stuck. Please write it down."

She chuckled and agreed. I handed her the recipe card, insisting she write it. Upon her completion, I looked at it and chuckled, "You're right mom it isn't that hard, but now I have in writing."

She sarcastically said, "Told you so!"

We both shared a sense of humor so I suddenly and excitedly yelled with exasperation, "Mom! You forgot the title! How can this recipe live on in infamy without a title?"

Quizzically she looked at me and in a very serious monotone voice said, "Try the words: cucumber salad," and laughed.

Not to be outdone, I proceeded to write the title, Mom's Infamous Cucumber Salad, and presented the card to her.

She looked at it and stated in a fresh tone, "Well I certainly don't know about infamous: but it's your card."

I joked with her some more about how this recipe would go down in history and would be famous all over the world! Her response was a motherly eye brow look. We chuckled and I placed the card in the recipe file. It was a delicious recipe and I was happy to have it in writing, although I knew she would always make it upon request.

Time flew and next thing we knew we were having Christmas dinner with all the fixings, including Mom's Infamous Cucumber Salad. (The title always brought a smile to her face.) I don't know if it was her way of mixing the ingredients or her "motherly touch," but no cucumber salad has ever compared. It held a delightful taste and was always so refreshing! She frequently laughed at our fuss about it, brushing us off (jokingly) by saying "It was so simple. No big deal!" We enjoyed it with our Christmas dinner, as always.

Christmas 2001 was the last batch of Mom's Infamous Cucumber Salad, made by mom. She passed away before the holidays the following year. The recipe and the card elicit many memories. I thank God that I had her write it for me. Every time I pick up the card to follow the recipe, I see her handwritten directions with my title written across the top.

I purposely bring the recipe card out to make the dish, even though I do know it by heart now. As I hold that card in my hand, I remember that very special Thanksgiving, our conversations, and our jokes about the recipe. It is bittersweet when I make it, as my heart is heavy from losing her, but light in knowing I hold in my hand, a gift of my mother, a treasured memory.

I usually make it for the holidays just like Mom. Mom is with us.

Mom's Cucumber Salad Recipe

2 large cucumbers
1 medium white onion
½ container of low fat sour cream
4 Tb White sugar
4 Tb Cider vinegar
Salt

Instructions

Thinly slice cucumbers.
Add a touch of salt on the cucumber slices.
Place cucumbers in medium-sized bowl.
Place quartered, thinly sliced onions on top of cucumbers.
In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, sugar, and vinegar together.
Pour sour cream mixture over cucumbers and onions. Mix until well coated.

Refrigerate for a few hours.

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