Cold Sesame Noodles with Smashed Cucumbers

When loaded with vegetables, noodle salads offer a perfect bridge between lightness and comfort. In this recipe, thick silky rice noodles (use the pad Thai variety) are freshened up with crunchy cucumbers, offering a pleasing textural contrast. Smashing the cucumbers creates jagged edges that are perfect for catching the dressing; salting them briefly helps to remove excess moisture without sacrificing crunch. The simple tahini dressing is nutty and creamy, deepened with salty soy sauce and enlivened with a touch of rice vinegar. The result is a versatile noodle dish that can be served at room temperature and also travels well for picnics, potlucks or desk lunches.