The Sushi-Inspired Snack You Can't Afford To Skip

Ever feel like making some sushi, but don't want to splurge on expensive fish or knife-wielding classes? Sure, becoming a traditional sushi chef takes years of technique and practice. So how about some cucumber sushi boats instead? That way, you can have sushi-inspired food with none of the intimidation.

The brilliance of cucumber sushi boats is that they encompass what makes sushi satisfying for some. It's not always about the raw fish or perfectly seasoned rice, but about the texture and the umami toppings contrasting with the cool and clean characteristics of the other ingredients. Cucumber sushi boats are a unique shortcut to enjoying this experience in your own kitchen.

One method for making this refreshing snack is to cut your cucumbers into finger-sized circles, ladle on some rice and your seafood of choice, and dip it into spicy mayo or soy sauce, almost like a sushi chip and dip. However, note that this can get messy, especially with the constant assembling. Instead, try a no-fuss technique by cutting the cucumbers in half lengthwise and using a spoon to scrape out the seeds to create the "boat." This process strikes the perfect moisture balance. Cucumber seeds are suspended in flesh with a gel-like consistency that could make your rice a bit soggy, while the rest of the veggie's flesh provides exactly the right amount of crisp hydration and mild flavor to balance rich toppings. You can also opt for a seedless cucumber, so there's less scraping to do. After that comes your protein, for which crab surimi is an especially clever and delicious choice.

This sushi-inspired dish, consisting of cucumbers and surimi, works well for children, as they can participate in the prep, too. This is also a great snack from a portion control perspective. Traditional sushi rolls can pack in 300 to 400 calories per 6-piece roll, and more when you add ingredients like mayo and tempura. Surimi has just 87 calories per 3-ounce serving. Most cucumber boats use 1 to 2 ounces of surimi plus rice, making each boat about 150 to 200 calories. Imitation crab meat is also high in protein and lower in calories, making this a healthier sushi-style option.

Another bonus is how easy this snack is to scale up. Unlike sushi rolling, where each piece must be shaped individually, cucumber boats can be prepped assembly-line style in minutes. They're great as a meal, snack, appetizer, or for lunch boxes and party platters. Remember, you're not replicating restaurant sushi, so you can bypass the many mistakes people make that ruin homemade sushi. You're simply capturing sushi's essence in a way that's accessible to any home cook.

Cucumber boats teach you the basic principle behind many great Japanese dishes: balance. Sweet rice, salty-spicy mayo, cool cucumber, rich surimi. Every element plays a role, and nothing dominates. Once you understand that, you can riff. Try cooked shrimp, shredded teriyaki chicken, or even a vegetarian version with seasoned tofu or canned inari. There are so many ways to experiment!