Trim the stem and tip ends of 2 cucumbers, slice them into long strips, then cut each strip in half lengthwise.

In a bowl, mash 100 g (about 2 tablespoons) of white cheese. Add 250 g (about 5 tablespoons) of yogurt and mix the two together. Add 1 crushed garlic clove and 1 tea glass (about 100 ml / 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp) of crushed walnuts, then fold in the sliced cucumbers and toss everything together. Transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle finely chopped dill in the center, and place the cucumber rose you've made right in the middle.

For the garnish: Slice half a cucumber into thin rounds without peeling. Soak in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain, then layer the cucumber rounds on top of each other, leaving about half a finger's width offset between each slice. Starting from the first slice, roll them up into a rose shape.

About This Recipe

Walnuts are an incredibly nutritious food, packed with many vitamins and beneficial fats. Experts recommend eating 4–5 raw walnuts every day to help protect against conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, constipation, and digestive issues. It is known that approximately 90% of the phenols found in walnuts (tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids) are also present in human skin. The most beneficial part for our skin is the thin white membrane on the outer surface of a fresh walnut. Although this membrane has a bitter taste, consuming it is extremely beneficial. The vitamin E found in walnuts also has a positive effect on cardiovascular health, particularly in men.

There are 15 known species of walnut tree, two of which are the most widely cultivated for their seeds and are the most commercially significant. The first is the English walnut, known as J. Regia, which is actually of Persian origin. The second is the black walnut, native to North America, which is quite sweet. However, due to its hard shell and poor trunk characteristics, it has not been as commercially successful as J. Regia. Franquette, a walnut variety native to France, remains one of the most popular varieties, although it is no longer produced as widely as it once was. Other well-known walnut varieties include J. California, J. Cinerea, Arizona walnut, Argentine walnut, Brazilian walnut, Californian walnut, Mexican walnut, Peruvian walnut, and the Andean walnut.

Today we've prepared a meze that is both an omega-3 powerhouse and rich in calcium. Our highly nutritious Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Walnuts is every bit as extraordinary in flavor as our Carrot Salad with Walnuts recipe… Enjoy!