If you’ve never rolled a cucumber, I urge you to do so. These cucumber roll-ups with garlicky feta & mint filling make for a delicious refreshing summer starter, light lunch or barbecue accompaniment. They’re really easy to make too.
AD – this is a commissioned post. See my cookie and privacy statement for further details.
Cucumbers Are Go
The main issue with these cucumber roll-ups is getting nice thin even slices. Unless you’ve got excellent knife skills a mandoline is best for this. A good mandoline not only enables fine slices, but it gets through them exceedingly quickly. This is especially important if you want to make these for a party and have several cucumbers to slice.
The best cucumbers to use are young fresh ones that are neither too large nor seedy but have plenty of that cool-as-a-cucumber flavour.
If you like cucumber, you might also like my vegetarian recipe for cucumber cream cheese spread. It’s very good, full of punch flavours.
OXO Good Grips Chef’s Mandoline Slicer 2.0
I’m always a little trepidatious about using mandolines. I’ve heard plenty of horror stories over the years and even witnessed one of them. This Chef’s Mandoline 2.0, however, is not in the least bit scary. Yes the blades are super sharp, but the food holder that comes with it makes it perfectly safe to use.
In fact the holder means there is very little wastage, if any at all. The last cucumber slice I did was slightly thicker than the others, but still useable. The holder stores neatly on the underside of the mandoline and is held in place by the folded down leg.
The mandoline is large (40cm x 13 cm)) and sturdy. I find this makes it easier to use than others I’ve tried in the past. The non-slip leg and feet mean it’s stable and doesn’t slide around. It’s also easy to select the slice thickness you want by turning the dial on the side. You can choose from nine different thicknessess (1 mm to 9 mm), which I thought was pretty impressive.
The runway is artfully textured to prevent slices sticking to it. And the bit everyone’s dying to know? Yes, it’s easy to clean too. It can even go in the dishwasher if you’re lucky enough to have one of those.
As you’d expect from a good mandoline, there is more to it than the ability to just create normal slices. With 21 blade settings in total, the Chef’s Mandoline Slicer 2.0 can also produce crinkle cuts, waffle cuts, julienne or French fry cuts. The blades are made from Japanese stainless steel and are very sharp. When not in use the blades can be locked to ensure they are not exposed. and won’t accidentally hurt anyone.
This is a sneak preview of the Chef’s Mandoline 2.0* as it doesn’t come out until the end of August. It has an RRP of £70.
OXO Good Grips make a range of kitchen tools and I’ve been impressed with every one I’ve tried. The vegetable brush and peeler are no exception. You can see what I thought about my Cherry Pitter which comes into its own every cherry season. I’ve been using it with wanton abandon over the last few weeks and have not splattered myself with cherry juice once.
Cucumber Roll-Ups with a Garlicky Feta & Mint Filling
I’m so impressed with these cucumber roll-ups The garlic feta mint filling is gorgeous and the flavours marry well with the refreshing cucumber. The feta cheese makes the filling quite salty, so you don’t need much on each slice. The garlic and mint still manage to shine through, however.
Simply thinly slice the cucumbers lengthways and spoon a little filling down the middle of each slice. Then roll up each one and stick a cocktail stick through to hold it together. The secret is not to put too much filling on or it will just ooze out.
As for the filling, that’s also easy to make. It’s just a case of putting the feta cheese along with all the other ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulsing until smooth.
You can use any leftover filling after making the cucumber roll ups as a dip with crudités. I found it also made a fantastic topping for socca, which I seem to be making quite a lot of recently.
Other Recipes Where a Mandoline Would Be Useful
- Best veggie sandwich via The Live-in Kitchen
- Cheesy pesto Dauphinoise via Munchies & Munchkins
- Plum & walnut pizza via Tin & Thyme
- Smokey sweet peanut slaw via Strength & Sunshine
- Spiced aubergine crisps via Fuss Free Flavours
- Sweet potato crisps (oven baked) via Le Coin de Mel
- Three allium smoked chilli tart via Tin & Thyme
Keep in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you try this recipe for cucumber roll-ups, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Have you any top tips? Do share photos on social media too and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest. And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my weekly newsletter. Or why not join the conversation in our Healthy Vegetarian Whole Food Recipes Facebook Group?
If you’d like more starter or party recipes, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. All delicious and nutritious, of course.
Choclette x
Cucumber Roll-Ups. PIN IT
Cucumber Roll-Ups – The Recipe
Cucumber Roll Ups with a Garlicky Feta Mint Filling
Ingredients
- 1 small to medium cucumber or more if you're feeding more than 4 people – not too seedy
- 100 g feta cheese
- 1 clove garlic small
- 2 tbsp natural yoghurt
- 1 sprig fresh mint
- good grinding of black pepper
- 1 handful chives small
- cocktail sticks
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber lengthways into long thin strips using a mandoline. I set the thickness to 0.1 mm.1 small to medium cucumber
- Blend the cheese, garlic, yoghurt, mint and pepper until you have an almost smooth paste. I used the brilliant Optimum Nutri Force Extractor*.100 g feta cheese, 1 clove garlic, 2 tbsp natural yoghurt, 1 sprig fresh mint, good grinding of black pepper
- Finely snip in the chives and stir.1 handful chives
- Thinly spread each strip with some of the spread – it’s quite salty and flavoursome, so you don’t need much.
- Roll up and secure with a cocktail stick. You don’t want to roll too loosely, but not too tightly either or the spread will be squeezed out.cocktail sticks
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
OXO commissioned this post. I was not expected to write a positive review and all opinions are, as always, my own. This post contains affiliate links. Buying through a link will not cost you any more, but I will get a small commission. Thank you for your support of the brands and organisations that help to keep Tin and Thyme blithe and blogging.
Nancy says
These cucumber rolls are so refreshing and perfect t for afternoon tea on the patio. My friends enjoyed it a lot.
Choclette says
Great idea for afternoon tea Nancy. Thanks for letting us know.
Katie says
These cucumber roll ups are fantastic! I love how simple and healthy they are.
Choclette says
Thank you. They’re a bit of fun, but everyone seems to love them.
Marinela says
Love the combination of fresh cucumbers and garlic mixed with yogurt. They look pretty and are full of flavor, the perfect summer appetizer!
Choclette says
Yes, they’re great for parties – look good, taste good and easy to make.
Suzanne Torchia says
looks awesome, will make these for our Christmas table appetizer table.
Choclette says
Oh yes, good idea. So refreshing before you tuck into the big meal.
Janice says
These look just perfect for summer eating when cucumbers are plentiful and cheap! What a lovely tasty filling in them too.
Choclette says
Thanks Janice. Would love to grow our own again. Hoping we might be able to soon.
Janice says
These look so lovely and light and fresh. One to add to the buffet menu!
Choclette says
They were really good, but I think a summer buffet rather than a winter one would be more appealing.
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet says
I recently bought a mandolin and I proceed to use it with caution after seeing multiple injuries that can be obtained through its use. I’ve never cut cucumber this way. The rollups look so elegant!
Choclette says
Thanks Michelle. If it wasn’t for the mandoline, I’d probably never cut cucumbers this way either, but they work so well. Definitely proceed with caution where mandolins are concerned.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Me and mandolines don’t get along 😉 Hahaha! It’s a bloodbath whenever I get up the courage to take it out!
Choclette says
Sounds like you need this one then. The holder works pretty well.
Corina says
These look so pretty and are perfect for a summer party. I really could do with one of those mandolines too as I always have to just use a knife for anything like this and it never looks as neat as I’d like!
Choclette says
Thanks Corina. My knife skills definitely aren’t up to the job of cutting thin slices, so the mandoline is super helpful.
Mel says
I’ve never used a mandolin, for the reasons you mentioned above, but I would be inclined to try his OXO Good Grips one. I love every single utensil I bought from them and I like the fact this mandoline comes with a food holder.
Choclette says
OXO utensils are the bees knees. I’m really liking this mandoline. It’s easy to use and I’m looking forward to making some of your crisps with it 🙂
Natalie Tamara @ The Tofu Diaries says
They look absolutely gorgeous, they’d be a perfect addition to a buffet or a great starter. I can see why you need even strips too, so this is a very useful tool. Thank you for including my rose tart!
Choclette says
Thanks Natalie. I really feel I need to host a summer garden party to feature these. They are really good and the mandoline made them so easy to make.
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
What a great combination Choclette, feta is one of my favourite cheeses & can well imagine how gorgeous it is with the refreshing cucumber.
Angela x
Choclette says
Thanks Angela. It’s a good mix of cool and salty. Perfect for summer – if we ever get one 🙁
Lucy says
Yum these look lovely and perfect as a side dish for a sunny picnic as well as great with a glass of bubbly I bet!
Choclette says
Ooh yes, a glass of bubbly would be ideal Lucy. So would a picnic if we ever get a dry day again!
Munchies & Munchkins says
These sound delightful. I love cucumber and these would be a lovely summery appetiser. X
Choclette says
Sitting in the garden with an icy cocktail is how I imagine eating them. In actuality, it’s chomping on them whilst gazing out of the window at the pouring rain 😉
Fritha says
Oh my gosh these look amazing! Will be trying this out! X
Choclette says
Thanks Fritha. Let me know how you get on.
Rhiannon D'Averc says
I’m not a fan of mint, do you think the filling would be tasty enough without it? Or what would you put in instead?
Choclette says
I think it would still be pretty tasty, but dill would be a good herb to add instead. Or oregano.
Nico @ yumsome says
These look so refreshing, Choclette – I bet the cucumber really offsets the saltiness of the feta too. What smashing nibbles for a cocktail party, perfect for munching in between gin martinis! Great for picnics as well. 🙂 xx
Choclette says
Ooh a cocktail party. I would love to got to a party when someone else is making the cocktails. I’d be very happy to bring a few plates of these 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
A simple and delicious appetizer!
Choclette says
Yes, so delicious, CT almost polished the lot off in one fell swoop. My mother and I managed to get one each!