Smashed Cucumbers With Lime Yogurt, Spicy Honey and Breadstick Croutons - cucumbers

Method

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry.
• Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long.
• Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down.
• Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand.
• The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate.
• Repeat until the whole piece is smashed.
• Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar.
• Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl.
• Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a bowl, mix yogurt, lime zest and juice, vinegar, oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper.
• This mixture should taste fiercely acidic and quite salty; add salt and vinegar as needed.
• Keep refrigerated.
• If making the spicy honey, combine hot sauce and honey in a small bowl and stir well until smooth.
• If making the croutons, toast the breadstick pieces in a toaster oven or skillet.
• Drizzle with olive oil and stir occasionally, until golden and crunchy.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a bowl.
• Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss.
• Add scallions and half of the dressing and toss gently.
• Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned.
• Serve immediately.
• For each serving, scoop a large spoonful of cucumbers into a bowl, drizzle with spicy honey and sprinkle with a handful of croutons.