Cucumber Roses 2 Ways

Healthy Party Snacks

There are numerous ways to prepare these cucumber appetisers. I’ve opted for two variations—one vegetarian and the other featuring ham. I realise I’ve been sharing a lot of vegetarian recipes lately, but I assure you I’ll be posting more with meat and seafood soon. Feel free to substitute ingredients and include additional items according to your preferences.

Nothing beats the delicious combo of crispy, crunchy, creamy, and fresh textures all in one dish, with a special emphasis on fresh. Australia boasts an incredible array of fresh ingredients, and I love showcasing them in my recipes.

These healthy party snacks are incredibly simple to make. You can opt for just cucumber, as shown in the photo below, or you can add radish like I have here, which adds a nice zing and a splash of colour.

In the first example, I’ve used home cut pumpernickel rounds since they’re no longer available as pre-cut rounds in the supermarket. I’ve spread a delicious garlic hummus on them and topped them with a pomegranate balsamic pearl for an extra burst of flavour.

For the second example, I’ve used grilled Haloumi rounds (which I cut myself) and omitted the creamy element. Instead, I rolled ham with the radish and cucumber, garnishing with fresh dill. Both versions are colourful and elegant, albeit a bit larger than a single bite. Nevertheless, they offer a unique presentation using simple ingredients.

You can make your own hummus or a creamy avocado guacamole for a different twist. Any sliced meat can also be used to add variety to this recipe, creating a colourful and delicious appetiser for your guests.

You could also use crackers or rye bread as a base, but keep in mind that cucumbers can make the base soggy, so assemble them at the last minute or choose a sturdier base.

These canapés are pretty economical to make, using ingredients commonly found at home. While making the roses can be a bit intricate, they are generally quick to assemble, especially if you’re only making a dozen or so.

Give these healthy party snacks a try for your next social occasion!

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Cucumber Rose Canapés

(Serves 12 Prep 30)

You will need:

• Pumpernickel bread
• Garlic Hummus
• Continental cucumber
• Large radishes
• Fresh Dill
• Balsamic Pearls
• Haloumi Cheese
• Ham slices or other sliced meat

Instructions:

1. Preparation of Ingredients:

If using a cookie cutter, cut the Pumpernickel bread into 5cm rounds. Alternatively, use pre-cut rounds if available.

Slice the continental cucumber into 12 even slices, each 1 1/2 – 2cm thick. Then, slice the remainder of the cucumber into thin rounds, aiming for approximately 1mm thickness (thinner slices work better).

Slice the Radishes into thin, even rounds, about 1mm thick.

2. Assembling Cucumber and Radish Roses:

Using a mini cookie cutter with a diameter of 2.5cm, remove the centres from the cucumber slices.

Take a radish slice and place a cucumber slice overlapping it by half. Alternate between cucumber and radish slices until you have a stack of 6 slices in total.

Carefully roll up the slices to form a mini rose and place it standing up inside the hollow of the cucumber slice.

Repeat this process until you have 6 cucumber and radish roses. If you’re preparing both presentations (with and without ham), make a total of 12 roses; otherwise, make 6 of each.

3. Preparing Ham Roses:

Cut the ham slices in half. Place 3 slices of cucumber or radish along one half of a ham slice.

Carefully roll up the slices to create mini roses, following the same rolling technique used for the cucumber and radish roses.

4. Assembling Canapés:

On each pumpernickel round, carefully spread 1 teaspoon of hummus in the centre.

Top each pumpernickel round with one of the cucumber and radish roses, placing a balsamic pearl in the centre of each rose.

5. For Haloumi Canapés:

Cut the Haloumi cheese into rounds and brown the slices on both sides. This can be done in a frying pan over medium-high heat with a light spray of olive oil. Allow the slices to cool slightly.

Top each Haloumi slice with a cucumber and radish rose, and garnish each rose with a sprig of dill placed in the centre.

By following these detailed steps, you’ll create visually appealing and delicious cucumber appetisers featuring both vegetarian and ham options.

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 30 mins)

Ingredients

• Pumpernickel cut into 5cm rounds
• Garlic Hummus
• 1 continental cucumber
• 4 large radishes
• small bunch dill
• Balsamic Pearls
• 250gm Haloumi
• Ham 3-6 slices ham cut in 1/2

Method

1. Use a Cookie Cutter to cut the Pumpernickel into 5cm rounds
2. Cut the continental cucumber into 12 even slices 1 1/2 -2cm thick
3. Slice the remainder into thin rounds approx 1mm (the thinner, the better)
4. Slice radishes into thin even rounds (1mm thick)
5. Take a mini cutter 2.5cm diameter and remove the centre of the cucumber slices 
6. Take a slice of radish, place a slice of cucumber overlapping the radish slice by 1/2 and repeat 2 more times giving you 6 slices in total
7. Roll the length of slices up to form a rose & stand it up inside the hollow of the thicker cucumber slices
8. Place a balsamic pearl in centre of each rose
9. For the ham ones
10. Cut the ham slices in 1/2
11. Cut the Haloumi into even rounds
12. Heat a pan on Med high
13. Lightly spray the pan with olive oil
14. Place 3 radish slices along the length of the ham slice, overlapping each other
15. Roll the ham & radish slices up into a rose and stand up inside hollow of the cucumber slices
16. Garnish with a sprig of dill in the centre of each rose
17. Serve & enjoy!

Helpful Tips

• Try to get a long & slender cucumber, so the pieces are not too large.

• Use a small paring knife to finely cut the thin slices of radish and cucumber.

• I have used a garlic hummus as I love garlic but a jalapeño one would be nice too.

• You can use just cucumber for your roses as mentioned earlier, however, radish & cucumber add a bit of colour- even better if you can get the radishes that are crimson on the inside.

• Your slices for the petals need to be fine so it is easy to roll into a rose otherwise the slices just snap.

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Sauvignon Blanc: Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile white wine with vibrant acidity and herbal notes that can complement the garlic hummus, fresh dill, and the tanginess of balsamic pearls. Its crispness also pairs nicely with the refreshing flavours of cucumber and radishes.

Pinot Noir: Pinot Noir is a light to medium-bodied red wine with soft tannins and red fruit flavours that can complement the savoury and slightly salty profile of haloumi cheese and ham slices. Its versatility allows it to pair well with both cheese and meat components of the dish.

Spotlight

Cucumber

Cucumber is a widely cultivated plant belonging to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is grown for its elongated, green fruits that are commonly used as vegetables in various culinary dishes. Cucumbers are known for their crisp texture, mild flavour, and high water content, making them refreshing and hydrating.

Cucumbers are versatile and can be eaten raw in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. They are also used to make pickles, relishes, and cold soups like gazpacho and add a cooling element to curries and hot foods. In addition to their culinary uses, cucumbers are sometimes used in skincare routines due to their hydrating properties.

Nutritionally, cucumbers are low in calories and fat but rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a good source of vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, and various phytonutrients that contribute to overall health and well-being.

There are several varieties of cucumbers, including slicing cucumbers (typically eaten fresh), pickling cucumbers (used for making pickles), and seedless or English cucumbers (long and slender with thin skin, often used in salads).

A very versatile ingredient, that is somewhat undermined, this vegetable is a must have for any appetiser menu.