Smashed Cucumber Salad with Hot Vinegar

Ingredients

• 5 mini seedless or Persian cucumbers or 1 small English hothouse cucumber (about 12 oz.)
• Kosher salt
• 4 red or green Thai chiles
• halved lengthwise keeping stem end intact
• or 1 serrano chile
• thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves
• lightly smashed
• 1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• Chopped unsalted or salted roasted peanuts (for serving)

Instructions

1. 1

   Gently smash cucumbers with a rolling pin or the back of a heavy knife just to break open.

2. 2

   Tear into irregular 2" pieces and place in a medium bowl; season lightly with salt.

3. 3

   Let sit at least 5 minutes and up to 1 hour.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, whisk chiles, garlic, vinegar, fish sauce, and sugar in a medium bowl until sugar dissolves.

5. 5

   Let sit while cucumbers macerate.

6. 6

   Drain cucumbers, discarding any liquid they have released.

7. 7

   Add to bowl with dressing and toss several times to coat.

8. 8

   Top with peanuts.

9. 9

   Dressing can be made 3 days ahead.

10. 10

    Cover and chill.