Sweet and Sour Pickled Cucumber Salad – Indonesian Acar Timun
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Acar Timun (Atjar or Acar Ketimun) is a refreshing Indonesian side dish made with cucumbers, red onion, and chili peppers, cooked and marinated in a sweet and tangy vinegar mixture.
Acar Timun has its roots in Indonesian cuisine, where pickling vegetables is a common method of preserving. This recipe balances sweet, sour, and spicy Asian flavors. It pairs well with nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (stir-fried noodles), or any other savory Indonesian dish, adding a pallet cleansing and refreshing contrast to richer flavors.
This colorful acar is a must-have for your rice table. The freshness of the vinegar provides a counterbalance to spicy dishes, while the sweetness cools down the heat. This light and tasty side dish is simple and quick to make.
Want to make it even more special? Try Acar Timun Nanas, a traditional Indonesian acar with cucumber and pineapple!
It is best to cut the cucumber into thin slices. This can be done with a knife, but it goes much easier with a cheese slicer or a mandoline.
Once prepared, you can store the acar in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for at least a month. It could even last longer if you make sure the acar is fully submerged in the vinegar solution, and always use clean utensils to prevent it from going bad.
Pickled Cucumber Salad (Acar Ketimun)
Acar Ketimun, is a traditional Indonesian side dish of pickled cucumbers, red onion, and chili peppers. This is a simple and quick recipe to prepare this refreshing side salad. Fits vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets.
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 1 red onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
-
Wash the cucumber and cut it into thin slices. Cut the red onion in thin half-moon slices. Remove the seeds from the pepper and slice.
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In a saucepan, combine the water, sugar, vinegar, salt, and red chili pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Let cool.
-
Combine cucumber, red onion, and pepper slices in a clean, well sealing, container and pour the liquid mixture on it. Close and store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
Adjust the amount of chili peper, sugar, and vinegar to suit your taste.
Nutrition
Per serving (1)
- Calories
- 26 kcal
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fiber
- 0 g
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 135 mg
Recipe by Deborah Green
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